Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said Tuesday that Egypt hopes the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) selection criteria of its new director general is based on objectivity.

The minister called on UNESCO to take into consideration the expertise, qualifications and vision of each candidate to develop the organisation during the selection of the new director general of the organisation.

Abdel Ghaffar made these remarks in his speech before the 202nd session of UNESCO's executive board meetings, which started on October 4 and will end October 18 in Paris. 

Director General of UNESCO Irina Bokova and 58 representatives of member states attended the meetings.

The minister is part of the Egyptian delegation participating in UNESCO's executive board meetings and to support Ambassador Moshera Khatab, Egypt's candidate to head the organisation during UNESCO's elections to select the new director general of the organisation.