The Grand Egyptian Museum welcomed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and his accompanying delegation during his official visit to Egypt. Ambassador Mohamed Abou Bakr, Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs; Gianluca, the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt; and former UN Under-Secretary-General Ghada Waly were also present.
Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority, received the Secretary-General and his delegation and introduced the museum’s main features, unique artefacts and exceptional museum and tourism experience.
The Secretary-General toured the museum’s outdoor plaza, atrium, Grand Staircase and main galleries before visiting the King Tutankhamun galleries. The tour concluded at the King Khufu Boats Museum.
Guterres showed particular admiration for King Tutankhamun’s golden mask and throne, as well as the statue of Queen Hatshepsut. He spent time examining the pieces and asking about their precise craftsmanship and artistic skill, and the richness and diversity of ancient Egyptian civilization that they reflect.
He also praised the museum experience, which allows visitors to explore different aspects of ancient Egyptian civilization and its cultural, artistic and human legacy. He commended the museum’s efforts to make this heritage accessible to present and future generations.
At the end of his visit, the UN Secretary-General signed the museum’s visitors’ book, praising the antiquity of Egyptian civilization and the country’s cultural treasures as a heritage shared by all humanity.
