Subject: Appeal to Uphold UNESCO’s Integrity in Light of Khaled El-Anany’s Nomination
From: "Egypt Heritage Professionals" <[email-masked]>
To: "KUM min", <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:47:17 +0300

Your Excellency Ms. Heidy Purga,

We hope you're doing well.

We are writing to you with deep respect for your longstanding commitment to 
cultural heritage and your leadership in shaping heritage policy and 
international cooperation as the esteemed minister of culture of Estonia.

It is in this spirit that we wish to express our grave concern regarding the 
nomination of Dr. Khaled El-Anany as Director-General of UNESCO. While his 
nomination has received strong political backing, particularly from the 
French government, it raises serious questions about the future of UNESCO 
and the values it represents.

During his tenure as Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities and later Minister of 
Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. El-Anany oversaw a period marked by corruption, 
mismanagement, and irreversible damage to Egypt’s cultural heritage. 
Restoration projects were compromised, historical sites were commercialised, 
and decisions were made that prioritised political and economic interests 
over transparency and preservation.

While we are fully aware that you cannot change the result of the vote, we 
are urging you to use your influence as an esteemed country member of UNESCO 
to demand for a new vote and that Dr. El-Anany be rigoroursly scrutinized 
for his catastrophic management of the Egyptian heritage during his tenure.

Even more troubling is the geopolitical context surrounding his nomination. 
It has become increasingly clear that Mr. El-Anany is being used as a 
diplomatic instrument to facilitate arms deals between France and Egypt — 
including the sale of Rafale fighter jets — with little regard for human 
rights or cultural integrity. This politicization of UNESCO’s leadership 
undermines the very principles the organization was founded to uphold.

We have compiled detailed reports in both Arabic and English, documenting 
the extent of the damage and the concerns shared by heritage professionals, 
archaeologists, and civil society. These are attached for your review.

Your Excellency, your voice carries significant influence in the heritage 
and policy-making communities. We humbly ask you to consider lending your 
support to this cause, by demanding that another vote be held before the 6th 
of November — to help ensure that UNESCO remains true to its mission and 
that its leadership reflects the values you have championed throughout your 
career.

We would like as well to inform you that we are unable to reveal our names 
in fear of imprisonment and judicial prosecution as many esteemed colleagues 
received direct threats.

Thank you for your time, your wisdom, and your continued service to the 
heritage of humanity.

With deepest respect,

Egyptian Heritage Professionals