The director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has appointed Chinese Professor Chen Qun as the UN agency's assistant director-general (ADG) for education.

According to a UNESCO statement updated on Thursday, Chen is an academic, physicist and education specialist with more than 30 years of experience in academic and executive leadership. He will support Director-General Khaled El-Enany in transforming education systems and advancing equitable, inclusive and high-quality learning, while equipping learners worldwide with advanced skills, for the benefit of people and peace.

Chen's appointment came after the naming of three women to senior positions in January, when Sweden's Asa Regner was designated as UNESCO deputy director-general, Mozambique's Lidia Brito appointed as ADG in charge of priority Africa and external relations, and Mariya Gabriel, Bulgaria's former deputy prime minister and foreign minister, was named as ADG for communication and information.

El-Enany, an Egyptologist, took office last November. He is the 12th director-general of UNESCO, the first from an Arab country and the second from Africa to hold this position.