Russia’s plan to rejoin SIGEPS, known as the Permanent Committee for Physical Education and Sport, was discussed during a meeting in Paris between Russian Sports Minister and Russian Olympic Committee President Mikhail Degtyarev and UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany.
Degtyarev said Russia planned to seek re-election to the intergovernmental organization and resume its work there in 2027, after leaving it in 2023. The Russian official said Russia had actively participated in SIGEPS activities in previous years and planned to rejoin the organization’s work.
The working meeting, held on September 17, 2026, also addressed Russia’s role and UNESCO’s activities under the anti-doping convention. Degtyarev said the meeting took place in a constructive and friendly atmosphere.
The Russian minister invited El-Enany to visit Russia. Degtyarev argued that UNESCO’s previous leadership had ignored the politicization of sport and other areas, and said all countries would be able to work more easily with the new director-general.
Sports relations between Russia and Egypt
The meeting also reviewed sports ties between Russia and Egypt. Degtyarev said Egyptian athletes regularly took part in competitions and training activities in Russia, while Russian athletes participated in events in Egypt.
The Russian official said they were ready to further develop the existing relations on the basis of friendship, mutual respect and trust.
El-Enany’s role at UNESCO
Khaled El-Enany was elected UNESCO director-general in November 2025. El-Enany became the organization’s 12th director-general, the first leader from an Arab country and the second representative of African origin to hold the post.
El-Enany succeeded Audrey Azoulay, a French citizen who had served at UNESCO since November 2017.
