<h1>UNESCO board nominates Egyptian ex-minister as likely first Arab director-general, pledges cultural focus amid budget crisis</h1> An Egyptian former tourism and antiquities minister was nominated by UNESCO's executive board to be director-general, subject to confirmation by the general assembly, becoming the likely first Arab to lead the agency. The nomination comes as UNESCO faces a budget shortfall after the recent US withdrawal and broader financial and political strains across the UN system. The nominee, a noted Egyptologist with limited UN experience, pledges to prioritize cultural programs, combat antisemitism and religious intolerance, and seek US reengagement; his challenger, an experienced UNESCO economist, promoted technical solutions and refugee education. Both intend to boost private funding.