The upcoming UNESCO director-general election is taking place amidst ongoing financial and political challenges, including the U.S. withdrawal from the organization, which has significantly impacted its budget and effectiveness.

Two main candidates are vying for the position: Egyptian Khaled el-Enany, a former tourism minister and archaeologist, considered the favorite, and Congolese Firmin Edouard Matoko, a veteran UNESCO diplomat with extensive field experience.

El-Enany, supported by the Arab League and African Union, aims to be the first Arab leader of UNESCO and plans to increase funding through voluntary contributions while focusing on cultural programs and combating antisemitism.

Matoko emphasizes his decades of experience, including work in Rwanda post-genocide, and advocates for technical solutions, organizational reforms, and restoring U.S. support.

Both candidates are proposing reforms to address UNESCO’s financial instability, accusations of politicization, and organizational mismanagement, with a focus on increasing private sector and BRICS funding.

The UNESCO executive board is scheduled to vote on the candidates on October 6, 2025, with a final decision expected at the general assembly next month in Samarcande, Uzbekistan.

This election is part of a broader crisis within UNESCO, which has seen a decline in candidate numbers and faces geopolitical tensions over issues like Gaza and Ukraine.

Matoko advocates for experienced leadership to navigate UNESCO through turbulent times, citing his work in Rwanda and during peace negotiations.

Both candidates offer distinct visions for reform, aiming to address the ongoing issues of financial instability, politicization, and internal mismanagement.

El-Enany, despite lacking U.N. experience, aims to focus on cultural programs, fight antisemitism, and is supported by Arab countries, with a historic first Arab leadership potential.

The winner will need to manage geopolitical tensions and internal challenges, including accusations of mismanagement, while seeking to restore trust and funding.

The election process follows a tradition where candidates recommended by the council are rarely disqualified, with both candidates campaigning globally for votes from 57 member states, excluding the U.S., which plans to withdraw entirely by 2026.

The UNESCO election is a critical moment for the organization, which has seen a decline in candidate numbers and faces a crisis rooted in financial shortfalls and global political shifts.