Cairo, Egypt – (African Boulevard News) – Egypt has come up with an ambitious two-step plan to claim a leadership position in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The plan aims to leverage a temporary lack of interest in the post of assistant director-general for UNESCO’s Africa department to place one of its diplomats in the position. This could pave the way for an opening for an Egyptian candidate for the director-general position.
Egypt has been making strides to position itself as a leader in the cultural and educational space. The country has already invested significantly in renovating and restoring several cultural sites, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. These efforts have seen Egypt receive recognition and praise from UNESCO.
“The country has made a lot of progress in the preservation and promotion of its cultural heritage, and UNESCO has been a valuable partner in this regard,” said Sarah Oduor, a cultural heritage analyst. “Egypt is home to some of the world’s most iconic cultural sites, and it’s exciting to see the country taking steps to protect and showcase them.”
Now, Egypt is hoping to build on this momentum by taking on a leadership role in UNESCO. According to a report by Africa Intelligence, the country plans to place one of its diplomats, ambassador Mohamed El-Tayeb, in the position of assistant director-general for UNESCO’s Africa department.
Egypt is hoping that if El-Tayeb is appointed to the position, it will open up an opportunity for an Egyptian candidate to eventually take on the role of director-general. The current director-general, Audrey Azoulay, is set to step down in November 2021, and Egypt is hoping to position itself as a frontrunner for the position.
While the plan is ambitious, it’s not without its challenges. UNESCO is a highly competitive and politicized organization, with member countries often lobbying for their preferred candidates. However, Egypt’s strong track record in cultural preservation and its investment in UNESCO projects could work in its favor.
“The director-general position is a highly coveted one, and it won’t be easy for Egypt to secure it. However, the country has shown that it’s committed to preserving and promoting cultural heritage, and that could give it an edge in the race,” said Oduor.
Egypt’s two-step UNESCO plan might be ambitious, but it’s a clear indicator of the country’s commitment to cultural preservation and promotion. Regardless of the outcome, the country’s efforts to safeguard its rich cultural heritage are worthy of recognition.
