Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
gypt has officially set November 1, 2025, as the date for the long-awaited inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a monumental project nearly two decades in the making. The announcement came from Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who confirmed that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has approved the date for the opening ceremony, which is expected to be a landmark cultural and diplomatic event.
According to a statement issued by the Cabinet, the Prime Minister directed all relevant ministries and authorities to accelerate the final preparations to ensure full readiness of the museum and its surrounding area. The opening is expected to draw high-level international participation and feature a series of cultural and artistic events aimed at highlighting the global significance of Egypt’s heritage.
Strategically located just a mile from the iconic Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum is poised to become the largest archaeological museum in the world. The 120-acre complex will house approximately 100,000 artifacts, including the full treasure collection of the famed boy-king Tutankhamun—many of which will be on public display for the first time.
Originally scheduled to open on July 3, the museum’s inauguration was postponed amid regional instability. Tensions escalated in June following an Israeli strike on nuclear facilities in Iran, leading to a brief but intense 12-day conflict that prompted Egyptian authorities to delay the event for security considerations.
Despite regional turmoil, Egypt’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate resilience. According to Bloomberg, the country welcomed 3.9 million visitors in the first quarter of 2025, a 25% increase compared to the same period last year. The government now aims to reach a record 18 million visitors by the end of the year, with the Grand Egyptian Museum playing a key role in achieving that goal.
Egyptian officials view the museum not only as a cultural showcase but also as a cornerstone of the country’s tourism strategy. The GEM is expected to attract up to 5 million visitors annually, offering immersive exhibitions, state-of-the-art technology, and a new global platform for Egypt’s unparalleled archaeological legacy.
With anticipation building around the museum’s grand opening, Egypt is preparing to welcome the world both to celebrate its ancient past and to signal a new era in cultural diplomacy and heritage tourism.
