By Arben Cici,
Director, Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Chair for Arab Culture and Language, Mediterranean University of Albania
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the Executive Board of UNESCO held an important interview with Dr. Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz, Egypt’s candidate for the position of Director-General of UNESCO. As someone who closely followed this interview, I can confidently say: it was a moment of clarity, excellence, and profound vision for the future of global culture, education, and peace. Dr. El-Enany’s eloquence, deep expertise, and inclusive vision for UNESCO reaffirm his fitness to lead one of the world’s most critical multilateral institutions. This multilateral institutions has a special importance especially today because is promotes peace, human rights, dialogue, diversity, coexistence and sustainable development through education, culture, science, and communication, fields that build long-term stability beyond politics. In a time of global conflict and polarization, UNESCO safeguards cultural heritage, fosters mutual understanding, and supports inclusive education, making it essential for shaping a more tolerant and cooperative world.
Through the knowledge and promotion of the culture, language, art, customs and other expressions of human intellectual achievements of other nations, the sustainable institution of acceptance of the other can be built, eradicating ethnic, religious, racial prejudices and other xenophobic diseases that fuel clashes, conflicts and wars.
Dr. El-Enany brings an exceptional curriculum vitae, underpinned by decades of academic and ministerial leadership in the fields of archaeology, heritage preservation, and intercultural dialogue. As Egypt’s former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, he oversaw groundbreaking initiatives to preserve and promote one of humanity’s most treasured cultural legacies. His work demonstrates not only scholarly rigor but a passionate commitment to building bridges between civilizations through shared heritage.
Egypt, as a cradle of global civilization, stands as a natural torchbearer for UNESCO’s mission. But Dr. El-Enany brings more than a national legacy; he embodies the collective voice of the Mediterranean and the Arab world. This is a region rich in culture, language, religion, and history, yet today, more than ever, it needs to be heard on the world stage, not only as a zone of conflict, but as a region of wisdom, peace, and humanistic values. His leadership would ensure that UNESCO is not only inclusive in rhetoric but in action.
For Albania, the support for Dr. Khaled El-Enany carries a deeper and uniquely meaningful dimension. The ties between Albania and Egypt are not only diplomatic—they are deeply rooted in shared history, cultural exchange, and mutual respect. One of the most prominent symbols of this connection is Muhammad Ali Pasha, an Albanian who played a pivotal role in shaping modern Egypt and left a lasting legacy as a visionary leader. This historical unique bond is a testament to the long-standing contributions of Albanians to the foundations of Egyptian statehood, society, and governance.
In the current context of a world facing complex geopolitical tensions and cultural divides, this special relationship calls for renewal and reinforcement. Albania has both a moral and historical responsibility to nurture these ties, not only through bilateral cooperation but also by standing alongside Egypt on international platforms such as UNESCO. Supporting Dr. El-Enany’s candidacy is a natural continuation of this legacy and a powerful statement of Albania’s commitment to fostering intercultural dialogue, historical understanding, and a more balanced global order.
Albania is an active member of this global community, with a growing voice in international affairs. As a country with a rich cultural heritage and a long tradition of peaceful coexistence among diverse religious communities, Albania has to understand the importance of this multilateralism, cultural diplomacy, and global cooperation. In this context, it is both timely and essential for our national authorities, diplomatic, cultural, and political, to align behind a candidate who embodies the principles we hold precious: diversity, tolerance, dialogue, and inclusivity.
Supporting Dr. Khaled El-Enany’s candidacy for Director-General of UNESCO is not merely an act of diplomatic courtesy or historical goodwill; it is a forward-looking decision grounded in shared values and strategic vision. His leadership would contribute to a more inclusive and representative UNESCO, one that reflects the richness of all regions, including the Mediterranean and the Arab world, and addresses the global challenges of our time with sensitivity, balance, and wisdom. In endorsing his candidacy, Albania would affirm its commitment to international solidarity, intercultural understanding, and the transformative power of culture and education as instruments of peace.
Let us seize this opportunity to honor our past, support a promising future, and amplify the voices of regions and civilizations that have long contributed to humanity’s common heritage.
© 2025 Argumentum
