An Egyptian ex-minister is the favourite 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.

Ena

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