An Egyptian ex-minister is the favorite to become head of the UN's culture agency, but his Congolese rival says bets are still off before a key decision next week.
The vote to replace outgoing French UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay after two four-year terms in office is not expected until November 6, during the body's general assembly in Uzbekistan.
But UNESCO's executive board is on Monday to recommend a name, in a move that has in the past led to that person's election by the assembly.
Just two candidates are in competition for the top job after a Mexican contender backed out in August.
They are former Egyptian Antiquities and Tourism Minister Khaled el-Enany, and the Republic of Congo's Firmin Edouard Matoko, who served as UNESCO's de facto foreign minister until March.
Enany, a 54-year-old Egyptologist who announced his intention to run more than two years ago, has emerged as a favorite.
When the board interviewed the candidates in April, the Egyptian was "by far the best" candidate, a European diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.
A source with knowledge of UNESCO workings told AFP Enany's election was a "done deal.”
But Matoko, a 69-year-old diplomat who has worked at UNESCO since 1990, has argued he is a better candidate with more knowledge of the agency.
The recommendation of the executive board, which is made up of 58 out of 194 member states, is expected to be key.
"When they don't name you, you can go home and rethink your career plans," said Matoko.
Enany oversaw antiquities, and later also tourism, from 2016 to 2022 under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
