Seoul: Khaled El-Enany, a former Egyptian tourism minister and a candidate for the role of director general at UNESCO, has called for a "depoliticized" and consensus-driven approach in the process of designating UNESCO heritage sites. El-Enany made these remarks in light of South Korea's ongoing effort to attain the UNESCO Global Geopark designation for its western border islands, a pursuit currently hindered by North Korea's opposition.
According to Yonhap News Agency, El-Enany emphasized the need for UNESCO to serve as a mediator among member states, facilitating consensus through technical deliberation devoid of political influence. He shared his thoughts during an interview in Seoul, a key stop in his campaign for UNESCO's top position. El-Enany's visit to South Korea, from Wednesday to Saturday, included discussions with South Korean foreign ministry officials.
North Korea's objection arises from concerns that recognizing the South Korean islands as a Global Geopark might undermine its claims regarding the maritime boundary. These islands are situated just below the Northern Limit Line, which serves as the de facto sea border between the Koreas, although North Korea contends that a new boundary should be established further south.
Highlighting his vision for UNESCO's future, El-Enany stated that the organization should focus on impartiality and depoliticization to preserve global heritage. He advocated for "UNESCO for the people," emphasizing internal coordination, agility, transparency, and inclusiveness. El-Enany also proposed digital reform to enhance operational effectiveness, noting that many current procedures are outdated and inefficient.
El-Enany praised South Korea's proactive involvement in science and knowledge policy within UNESCO, describing it as "exemplary." He expressed his goal, if elected, to make UNESCO more reflective of its member states, with increased transparency and inclusivity to better serve the aspirations of contemporary societies.