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Khaled al-Anani
Egyptian minister for antiquities From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Khaled al-Anani (Arabic: خالد العناني; born 14 March 1971 in Giza) is an Egyptian Egyptologist and politician. He was the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities from December 29, 2019 to August 13, 2022. In October 2025, he became 11th Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
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Youth and studies
Khaled El-Enany was born on 14 March 1971 in Giza, Egypt. He is the son of an engineer and a French teacher. He attended a French-speaking secondary school, where he passed his baccalauréat in 1988.[1][2]
Academic career
Al-Anani studied Egyptology at the Helwan University with the aim of becoming a tourist guide. He later obtained a MAS and PhD at the Paul Valéry University Montpellier in 2001.[3] He then became a professor of Egyptology at the University of Helwan, Department of Tourist Guides, then in the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management in 2011. He also teaches the Ancient Egyptian language at several universities around the world, including the University of Palermo, Paul-Valéry-Montpellier University and the Brandenburg University of Technology.[1] In addition, he became a member of several scientific institutions, notably being a corresponding member of the German Archaeological Institute in Berlin, as well as an associate researcher and member of the board of directors of the French Institute of Oriental Archeology (IFAO).[2] In October 2014, he became the 18th director-general of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC).[4]
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Political career
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On 23 March 2016, al-Anani became the Minister of Antiquities in the government of Sherif Ismail.[4] During his tenure, he managed to secure funds to build the Grand Egyptian Museum, and renovate other historical buildings such as the Baron Empain Palace, Graeco-Roman Museum and Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue.[3] He also organizes press conferences following archaeological discoveries to promote tourism.[5] In addition, he aims to combat extremism by encouraging the Egyptian population to take a greater interest in the ancient Egypt history.[6]
When the government of Mostafa Madbouly was appointed in 2018, he retained his post. The field of Tourism was added to his portfolio during the reshuffle of December 22, 2019, to become the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities.[7] He was replaced by Ahmed Issa as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities in a cabinet reshuffle on 13 August 2022.
In 2024, he was designated UN Tourism Ambassador for Cultural Tourism.[8] In January 2025, he was designated as the rapporteur of the African World Heritage Fund.[9]
Director-General of UNESCO
Al-Anani became Egypt's candidate for election as Director-General of UNESCO for the term 2025 to 2029. His candidacy was supported by the African Union, the Arab League and several countries including France, Spain, Türkiye, Gabon, Germany and Brazil.[10][11][12]
On 6 October 2025, he was elected Director-General of UNESCO, receiving 55 votes out of 57 in the Executive Board election.[13]
Honours
France: Knight of the Legion of Honour (2025)[14]- France: Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2015)[15]
- France: Honorary Doctorate from the Paul Valéry University Montpellier 3 (2021)[16]
Japan: Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2021)[17]
Poland: Officier of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (2020) [18]
References
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