Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz, born in 1971, is a leading figure recognized for his expertise and commitment in various fields such as management, public service, teaching, research, culture, tourism, and international relations. A former Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, he currently holds the position of Professor of Egyptology at Helwan University, where he has been a faculty member for over thirty years. His teaching, focused on the civilization, archaeology, and epigraphy of Ancient Egypt, is delivered not only in Egypt but also at prestigious international institutions. His role as a mentor has enabled thousands of Egyptian and foreign students and researchers to benefit from his vast knowledge and enriching experience.

Holding a Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 in France, he was invited as a visiting professor to this institution eight times between 2006 and 2023. He also collaborated for about fifteen years with the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology (IFAO) in Cairo, showcasing his significant contribution to scientific research and his commitment to training young researchers. His work, widely recognized by the scientific community, has been praised during his numerous conferences, seminars, and interventions in around fifteen countries, as well as through more than twenty publications in renowned international scientific journals and collections.

His influence also extends to academic positions, including serving as the Director of the Open Learning Center at Helwan University, Head of the Department of Tourism Guidance, and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management at the same university. He has also played a key role in developing Master’s programs focused on cultural heritage, museums, and tourism, in collaboration with international academic institutions. More recently, he was appointed a member of the Board of Trustees of the French University in Egypt, as well as other universities in Cairo, reflecting his growing influence in the fields of education and research.

After leading the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Khaled El-Enany was appointed Minister of Antiquities in 2016, where he distinguished himself by his ability to combine scientific rigor with pragmatism in his ministerial management. In 2019, following the integration of the Ministry of Tourism into his responsibilities, he successfully oversaw the merger of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Antiquities, which had been separate since 1966. At the helm of six agencies under the ministry, with an annual budget nearing the equivalent of five hundred million U.S. dollars, Khaled El-Enany demonstrated exemplary leadership by mobilizing funds, securing sponsorships, and forging successful partnerships with the private sector and civil society organizations. He also initiated major legislative reforms aimed at strengthening the protection and management of cultural heritage and museums, stimulating the growth of tourism, and ensuring substantial and sustainable new resources for the preservation of cultural heritage and tourism promotion. Leading a team of nearly thirty-five thousand employees, he managed over two thousand archaeological sites, more than forty museums, and thousands of hotels and private tourism establishments, impacting over one million people in the tourism industry.

During his ministerial tenure, he contributed to the construction and renovation of over twenty museums, including the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, a project in collaboration with UNESCO. Furthermore, Professor El-Enany rigorously supervised major achievements of the Grand Egyptian Museum project, one of the largest museums in the world, costing approximately one billion U.S. dollars. Over fifty restoration projects were carried out on archaeological sites, monuments, palaces, and historic religious buildings, including Al-Azhar Mosque, Coptic churches and monasteries along the “Journey of the Holy Family,” as well as Jewish monuments such as the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in Alexandria. Thanks to his proactive approach, over three hundred archaeological missions, Egyptian, joint and international from twenty-five countries, were able to intensify their activities, leading to significant archaeological discoveries, particularly at UNESCO World Heritage sites. As Chairman of the National Committee of Antiquities Repatriation, he oversaw the return of thousands of Egyptian cultural objects illicitly exported, from more than twenty countries.

Khaled El-Enany has played a key role in strengthening Egypt’s international relations through cultural diplomacy, collaborating closely with numerous countries, academic institutions, and international organizations. These partnerships have resulted in a multitude of agreements, conferences, and diverse projects. In his quest to promote intercultural exchanges as drivers of peace, he successfully organized nearly fifteen temporary exhibitions of Egyptian antiquities in ten countries. Among his most significant achievements are large-scale cultural events, such as “Luxor: Avenue of the Sphinxes” and “The Pharaohs’ Golden Parade.” The latter historic procession, during which royal mummies crossed the streets of Cairo in a dazzling display, became an iconic symbol of his ministerial tenure. These innovative initiatives celebrated Egypt’s ancient heritage, captivated millions of spectators worldwide, and sparked increasing interest in tourism in the country. Additionally, these projects contributed to raising awareness among Egyptians, especially younger generations, leading to a significant increase in the number of visitors to archaeological sites and museums.

Deeply committed to fundamental human rights, Professor El-Enany has consistently worked to promote inclusion and equality. He has tirelessly worked to make culture accessible to all, particularly children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. He launched intensive training and awareness programs targeted at young audiences, regularly organized at archaeological sites, museums, touristic destinations, and schools. At the same time, he implemented initiatives to strengthen the capacity of ministry staff, tourism establishments, and local communities, placing gender equality at the heart of his priorities.

Khaled El-Enany also distinguished himself with his remarkable crisis management skills during the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Effectively and swiftly, he implemented strict health and public safety protocols. Thanks to his unwavering support, seventeen thousand Ukrainian tourists stranded in Egypt received exemplary assistance until their return to Europe. The strategies implemented by Professor El-Enany during these two crises provided varied support and social protection to the tourism sector and its employees, contributing to the rapid and robust recovery of tourism in Egypt by summer 2022.

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Khaled El-Enany was named Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in France in 2015, honored with the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland in 2020, and awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by Japan in 2021. In September 2024, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate from the University of Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3. In November 2024, he was chosen Special Ambassador for Cultural Tourism by UN Tourism and was recently selected Patron of the African World Heritage Fund.

His candidacy for the Post of Director-General of UNESCO, announced by Egypt in 2023, was endorsed by the African Union and the Arab League in 2024.

His proficiency in Arabic, French, and English reflects his communication skills, a key asset for fostering international cooperation.

He is married and the father of a son.