UNESCO is set to choose its new chief, with Bulgarian incumbent Irina Bokova seeking a second term to head an agency that has been cash-strapped due to a US freeze on funds over admitting Palestine as a member.
Bokova is the favourite for the top job but faces a tough challenge from two rivals - the Djiboutian ambassador to France, Rachad Farah, and Lebanese academic Joseph Maila.
Djibouti is a small nation but it is positioning itself as both an African and an Arab country.
The Organisation of Islamic Conference, with 57 member states, had unanimously voted to support Farah's candidature.
A former foreign minister, Bokova was elected to head the UN cultural organisation in 2009.
She has defended her stint but both Farah and Maila argue that the body has lost its main objective - to maintain world peace through culture.
But other reports - notably by Britain and Australia - have voiced general approval of Bokova's tenure.
The UNESCO executive board will vote by secret ballot on Friday evening.
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