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Audrey Azoulay, the former French Minister of Culture, arrived at the top and on an equal footing with the Qatari candidate after the third round of electing the next Director-General of the United Nations for Education, Science and Culture (Unesco), reports AFP, the French news agency.
Only five candidates are in contention «after the withdrawal on Wednesday of the Vietnamese representative». Audrey Azoulay and the Qataru diplomat Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari have collected 18 of the 58 votes of the Unesco Executive Board, according to official results.
André Azoulay's daughter has filled the gap between her and Hamad bin Aboulaziz Al-Kawari, also former Minister of Culture. she had received 13 votes, while the Qatari had 20, on Tuesday, during the second round of the election.
Former Egyptian minister and Ambassador Moushira Khattab is ranked third, with 13 votes.
Unesco’s executive board must choose the successor of the Bulgarian Irina Bokova, «which ends two terms marked by political dissensions and the financial difficulties of the organization».
Votes have been held every day since Monday. «Up to four ballots may be held if no candidate reaches an absolute majority. If a fifth vote was to be organized, it would then be for the two who have made it to the 4th round,» said AFP. The choice of the Executive Board will be submitted to the General Conference of the 195 Member States for approval on 10 November.
