Nayef H. Al-Fayez appointed as UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture

Holding Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Brigham Young University, Utah, United States of America (1992 and 1994), Mr Al-Fayez has occupied several senior leadership positions in Jordan, including serving as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities across three terms between 2011 and 2022. During this period, he led major initiatives in the fields of cultural heritage, sustainable tourism and international cultural cooperation, promoting culture as a driver of resilience, dialogue and sustainable development.

Mr Al-Fayez also served as Minister of Environment, first between 2012 and 2013 and then in 2018, contributing to national and international efforts in environmental governance and the protection of natural heritage.

Most recently, he served as Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) from 2022 to 2025, where he led strategic initiatives related to sustainable tourism, environmental sustainability and international cooperation.

Earlier in his career, Mr Al-Fayez was Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board from 2007 to 2011, where he led the international promotion of Jordan’s cultural and heritage assets and strengthened partnerships with governments, cultural institutions and international stakeholders. He was also in service at the Royal Hashemite Court from 1994 to 2005.

Mr Al-Fayez will join UNESCO’s Senior Management Team, supporting the Director-General in advancing the Organization’s global leadership in culture, heritage protection and creativity, while reinforcing the role of culture as a driver of sustainable development, resilience and international cooperation.