Egypt's Foreign Ministry on Thursday cited an "exceptional year" for Egyptian diplomacy following a series of high-profile electoral victories within United Nations bodies, headlined by a historic win for the leadership of UNESCO. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration said the successes reflect the country's rising international standing and a strategic drive by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to enhance Cairo's presence in global decision-making. The diplomatic year was marked by the election of Khaled El-Anany as Director-General of UNESCO, the first Egyptian and Arab to lead the organisation. El-Anany secured the post with 55 out of 57 votes in the Executive Board—the largest winning margin in the organisation's history—coinciding with the anniversary of Egypt's October War victory. Egypt also separately won a seat on the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2025-2029 term. "This exceptional win embodies the great confidence in the efficiency of Egyptian leadership and the unique position Egypt enjoys on the international stage in world heritage matters," the ministry said. Expanding its influence in human rights and transport, Egypt was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, receiving 173 votes in the General Assembly. The ministry attributed the victory to international recognition of Egypt's "reformist approach," specifically the implementation of its National Human Rights Strategy and the modernisation of its justice system. In the maritime and aviation sectors, Egypt secured membership in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for 2026-2027, winning 132 votes. The government highlighted this as an acknowledgement of the Suez Canal's role as a vital global artery. Egypt also gained a seat on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the 2025-2028 term. The diplomatic surge extended to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), where Egyptian diplomat Mina Rizk was elected as the Independent Chairperson of the FAO Council. At 38, Rizk is the first Egyptian and the youngest person to lead the executive arm of the agency since its founding in 1945. The ministry, led by Badr Abdelatty, stated it would continue to leverage these positions to defend Egyptian, Arab, and African interests, particularly for developing nations in the Global South.
