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Candidate for UNESCO leadership views Vietnam and Asia as cornerstones for enhanced multilateral collaboration.

El-Enany, Egypt's nominee for UNESCO's Director-General role, emphasized that his visit, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the war's end, transcends symbolism. This is particularly significant as UNESCO's primary mission is the preservation of peace.

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Arriving as a candidate for the UNESCO Director-General role, just before the 50th anniversary of...
Arriving as a candidate for the UNESCO Director-General role, just before the 50th anniversary of war's end, Dr Khaled El-Enany considers it significant beyond symbolism, as peace is exactly what UNESCO was established to uphold.

Candidate for UNESCO leadership views Vietnam and Asia as cornerstones for enhanced multilateral collaboration.

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Dr. Khaled El-Enany, an Egyptologist and a former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, is vying for the position of Director-General of UNESCO, and during his recent visit to Việt Nam, he shared his thoughts on the pivotal role of Việt Nam in his campaign and his vision for the organization's future. Let's chat with the candidate about his views and ambitions.

After visiting Việt Nam from April 23 to 24 for his #UNESCOforPeople campaign, El-Enany expressed his sentiments about the country's significance in UNESCO's future. "Being here, as a candidate for the Director-General of UNESCO, marks a powerful moment for me," he said. "UNESCO's founding mission was to foster peace, and the warmth and generosity I've experienced here are a testament to that mission," he added.

El-Enany highlighted Việt Nam's vital role within UNESCO, emphasizing that the country is not only a member but an active and committed one, making indispensable contributions to the organization's work. With the country facing challenges from climate change, such as threats to its 3,000 kilometers of coastline, El-Enany hopes to prioritize ocean protection and biodiversity in UNESCO's mission if elected, leveraging Việt Nam's expertise to lead on a global scale.

Culturally, Việt Nam offers a compelling model for integrating traditional arts, like ca trù and xoan, into education and cultural tourism. El-Enany wants to ensure that nations like Việt Nam are empowered to shape UNESCO's future, rather than just being supported by it. The candidate was particularly moved by the opportunity to engage with a variety of people during his visit, focusing on topics ranging from education, science, culture, and communication, and reiterated his belief in the power of open dialogues to foster shared solutions and promote peace.

Asian countries, including Việt Nam, are growing in influence on the global stage, and El-Enany wants to ensure that their voices are better heard and represented within UNESCO. Ensuring inclusivity, genuine collaboration, and opening channels for long-term cooperation are crucial, according to the candidate. He believes that Asia, with its diverse perspectives, has a crucial role to play in shaping UNESCO's future as a cornerstone of the multilateral system.

'UNESCO for the People' is more than a slogan for El-Enany - it's a vision centered around strong connections between UNESCO and the communities it serves. He aims to strengthen UNESCO's presence and impact at the local level by empowering field and regional offices. Leveraging digital technology and promoting active listening and co-creation are also key elements of the candidate's plan for achieving this vision.

Enhancing UNESCO's capabilities in areas, such as education, culture, science, and information, requires unity rather than competition between blocs, El-Enany insists. He will focus on fostering a culture of active listening and genuine co-creation, engaging with all Member States within his first 100 days in office to listen, learn, and open channels for long-term cooperation, with Asia's growing voice playing a central role.

For Dr. Khaled El-Enany, UNESCO's mission is to protect heritage, promote education, and advance science so they can be shared and celebrated globally. With establishments like the Abu Simbel temples inspiring his passion for UNESCO, he brings rich insights from his past as an Egyptologist and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, making him well-equipped to lead the organization. By leveraging his experiences in collaboration, promotion, and preservation, he aims to make UNESCO an effective champion for the world's cultural legacy.

Dr Khaled El-Enany, an Egyptologist and former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities who is Egypt's candidate for the post of Director-General of UNESCO at the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long during his visit to Việt Nam from April 23-24. Photo courtesy of Khaled El-Enany

If he could offer one message to Việt Nam's younger generation, it would be this: "Be bold and ambitious in shaping your future. Việt Nam is a nation of resilience, culture, and innovation, and your youth's creativity and potent energy can make a lasting impact on the world. UNESCO can be your partner in triumphing the challenges of today and ensuring a sustainable, inclusive, and connected future."

In summary, Dr. Khaled El-Enany's ambitions for UNESCO revolve around fostering global cultural preservation, promoting cultural exchange, and supporting sustainable tourism by empowering local communities and collaborating with international partners. His vision is rooted in his past experiences as an Egyptologist and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, equipping him with the skills to tackle complex projects and inspire nations to preserve and celebrate their cultural heritage.

  1. Dr. Khaled El-Enany, the Egyptian candidate for UNESCO's Director-General position, commends the significance of Vietnam in UNESCO's future, highlighting the country's active role and contributions.
  2. El-Enany sees a potential priority in ocean protection and biodiversity for UNESCO, drawing on Vietnam's expertise to lead on a global scale due to the threats from climate change.
  3. El-Enany appreciates the cultural integration of traditional arts like ca trù and xoan in Vietnam's education and cultural tourism, urging nations to shape UNESCO's future rather than just be supported.
  4. Asia's growing influence on the global stage is something El-Enany wants to ensure is better represented and heard within UNESCO, advocating for inclusivity and long-term cooperation.
  5. El-Enany's vision for UNESCO, 'UNESCO for the People', emphasizes strong connections with communities, empowering field and regional offices, and leveraging digital technology.
  6. El-Enany believes that unity, active listening, and genuine co-creation are essential in enhancing UNESCO's capabilities in areas like education, culture, science, and information.
  7. El-Enany aspires to make UNESCO an effective champion for the world's cultural legacy by leveraging his experiences in collaboration, promotion, and preservation as an Egyptologist and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities.
  8. To Vietnam's younger generation, El-Enany offers encouragement to be bold and ambitious, recognizing Vietnam's resilience, culture, and innovation, and highlighting the potential impact they can make on the world.
  9. In summary, El-Enany's aspirations for UNESCO involve fostering global cultural preservation, promoting cultural exchange, and supporting sustainable tourism by empowering local communities and collaborating with international partners.

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