The Gulf diplomatic standoff has brought Egypt some good news. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have announced they will support Cairo’s candidate for the top seat in UNESCO.
Before the economic blockade of Qatar, the three oil-rich nations had planned to support Doha’s bid.
UNESCO’s board will choose a new Director-General this October during the 202nd board session.
For long Egypt – the cradle of civilization – has been chasing this honor, yet its seven UNESCO world heritage sites were never enough for its previous candidate to run.
This time however the country has also brought Mohamed EL Araby, Egypt’s former foreign minister, and Zahi Hawass, a world class Egyptologist and former Antiquities minister, both on the campaigning team of its new Candidate, Moushira Khattab.
Nine candidates are officially running for the director general seat of UNESCO.
Three other Arab candidates from Lebanon, Iraq and Qatar will be competing against Egypt to gain votes.
Egypt’s candidate Moushira Khattab is a well-known figure, mainly for her long years in Children’s rights.
She was the former vice president of the International Bureau for Children’s rights, Egypt’s former minister of Family and population and former assistant to Foreign Minister.
