El-Anani: If elected, I will be Serbia’s voice in UNESCO; Serbian Orthodox heritage in Kosovo is global treasure

Candidate for Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Khaled El-Anani, stated that if elected, he will be a voice for Serbia within UNESCO. He emphasized that he is fully aware of the deep concern of the Serbian people regarding the fate of medieval Serbian heritage sites in Kosovo, which are on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger and recognized as treasures of humanity.

“You ask whether I would be Serbia’s voice in UNESCO if I become Director-General. My answer is yes—without hesitation—because I want to be a voice for every member state, ensuring that UNESCO remains a place where every voice matters, regardless of the country’s size or economic power. Serbia is important for its culture, history, and its role in the Balkans, as well as for its long-standing engagement in UNESCO,” El-Anani said in an interview with Tanjug.

His candidacy, proudly supported by Egypt, is also officially backed by the African Union, the League of Arab States, Serbia, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, and Slovakia. Responding to whether, under the slogan “UNESCO for the People,” he would support Serbia’s positions—particularly regarding Kosovo and the four Serbian heritage sites listed as endangered—he said:

“I am fully aware of the serious concern about the four Serbian sites in Kosovo—Pec Patriarchate, the monasteries of Visoki Decani and Gracanica, and the Church of the Virgin of Ljeviska. These sites have been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 2004. They are more than places of worship. For the Serbian people, they are markers of identity, pillars of collective memory. And for UNESCO, they are treasures of humanity,” El-Anani noted.

UNESCO Is Not a Political Arena

Asked about Kosovo’s attempts to join UNESCO, El-Anani stressed that, as a candidate, he advocates a neutral approach grounded in UNESCO’s mandate and full respect for its rules.

“On such matters, responsibility compels me not to express political views, but to remind everyone of the legal and multilateral framework under which UNESCO operates,” he said, noting that only UN member states can become UNESCO members, although Article 2 of UNESCO’s Constitution provides a special procedure for non-member states, which requires a two-thirds majority vote at the General Conference.

“The Director-General neither proposes nor rejects candidacies. Their duty is to ensure a transparent and impartial process. UNESCO is not a political arena and should not operate on a balance-of-power logic. That’s why I strongly believe UNESCO must remain true to its mandate, strict in procedure, and fully dedicated to cooperation,” El-Anani stated.

Asked how familiar he is with Serbian cultural heritage on the UNESCO list and what impressed him the most, he responded that he had learned about it through history, research, and dialogue with Serbian officials and experts.

“That heritage tells us much about Serbia—its historical depth, cultural diversity, and the blending of Byzantine, Ottoman, and European influences, all while affirming its unique identity. Whether it’s the Studenica Monastery, the frescoes of Sopocani, the Roman palace of Gamzigrad, or the stecci scattered throughout the region, each of these sites carries part of the Serbian soul, shaped by spirituality, memory, and resilience. These are not just architectural achievements—they are living heritage,” said El-Anani, a former Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, university professor, and tour guide, which he says shaped his path toward UNESCO leadership.

“For me, a World Heritage site is never just a monument—it’s a meeting point of history, identity, and dialogue. That’s exactly what I want UNESCO to represent: an organization that protects heritage not to freeze it in time, but to let it speak in the present and be passed on to future generations,” El-Anani said.

He reiterated that UNESCO is not a platform for political disputes—UN bodies like the Security Council are responsible for such issues.

“UNESCO is a technical organization operating under clear mandates, transparent procedures, and a universal mission to promote peace through education, culture, science, and information,” El-Anani emphasized.

He added that evaluation and protection mechanisms—whether for world heritage, intangible heritage, or geoparks—must remain firmly based on technical and scientific criteria.

“Impartiality is one of the key pillars of UNESCO’s legitimacy,” El-Anani stated, adding that if entrusted with the role of Director-General, he would carry out his mission with rigor, neutrality, and respect.

EXPO 2027 Embodies UNESCO’s True Spirit

Asked whether EXPO 2027—under the theme “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All”—could be of interest to UNESCO, given that the Belgrade-based event will allow countries to showcase their intangible cultural heritage, El-Anani responded affirmatively.

“EXPO 2027 carries a vision deeply aligned with UNESCO’s values,” he said, adding that the theme highlights two universal languages that transcend political, cultural, and linguistic boundaries.

“Sport and music are powerful tools for peace, inclusion, and mutual recognition. They unite people not through ideology, but through shared experience and emotion,” said El-Anani, noting his delight that nearly 120 countries have already confirmed their participation.

“That, to me, is the true spirit of UNESCO: bringing nations together around shared values, in a space of dialogue and creative expression. Such broad international mobilization around a unifying theme deserves to be recognized and encouraged. The fact that EXPO will showcase the Southeast European region’s heritage—whether in infrastructure, science, or technology—is also significant,” he said, clarifying that he was not speaking on behalf of UNESCO but as a candidate.

Africa Underrepresented on the World Heritage List

El-Anani noted that a key part of his campaign platform is to ensure member states have the capacity to nominate and protect heritage sites. He stressed that Africa, the continent he proudly represents, is underrepresented on the World Heritage List—with Egypt having only seven sites.

“Italy has the most—60 sites, followed by China with 59,” he reminded.

El-Anani, who met in Belgrade with Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut and Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, said the visit held special importance for him, as Serbia reflects many values at the heart of UNESCO—a deep respect for cultural heritage, a strong commitment to education, and a future-oriented spirit.

“Serbia is also a country for which multilateral cooperation plays a vital role,” added El-Anani, who shared a personal anecdote: his son was charmed by Serbia and the warmth of its people while training with the Partizan Water Polo Club for several weeks.

El-Anani is the only candidate who has never worked in the UNESCO Secretariat, despite dedicating his career to all fields of the Organization—something he sees as a strength, bringing fresh perspectives.

“I want UNESCO to be a bridge between governments and civil society, between headquarters and the field, between ambition and action,” he said.

He emphasized that his campaign slogan, “UNESCO for the People,” is not a marketing phrase but a true vision. Since announcing his candidacy in April 2023, he has been in contact with over 200 delegations in more than 60 countries.

“Field work—meeting with teachers, artists, researchers, and communities—is not a side task, but the core of my commitment,” said El-Anani, who, if elected in October or November, would be the first Director-General of UNESCO from the Arab region.