Egypt discusses cooperation with UNESCO, FAO to develop Agricultural Museum, Aquarium

CAIRO – 9 May 2025: Egypt is partnering with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to explore ways of developing the Agricultural Museum in Dokki and the Aquarium Grotto Garden in Zamalek.

Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Alaa Farouk met Friday with Nuria Sanz, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, and Abdel Hakim Al-Waer, FAO Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, according to a statement from the Ministry.

The Agricultural Museum in Giza and the Aquarium in Cairo are regarded as important cultural, civilizational, and historical landmarks. The Agricultural Museum, which showcases Egypt’s agricultural heritage from the Pharaonic era to the present, was established by royal decree in 1927 and opened in 1938 as the "Fuad I Agricultural Museum." Built on the former estate of Princess Fatima Ismail, daughter of Khedive Ismail, the museum spans 125,000 square meters and features unique elements like Pharaonic gardens and a Syrian hall, added in 1959 during Egypt’s political union with Syria.

The Aquarium Grotto Garden, located on Zamalek Island in Gebalaya Street, was commissioned by Khedive Ismail in 1876. It was one of the most magnificent gardens of its time. Covering 9.5 acres, the site was later transferred under the management of the Giza Zoo by Khedive Abbas Hilmi. Khedive Ismail originally established the Aquarium to impress Eugénie, Empress of France, during her visit to Egypt for the inauguration of the Suez Canal.

During the meeting, Minister Farouk expressed interest in leveraging UNESCO’s and FAO’s expertise to document the archaeological collections, enhance visitor experiences, and make the sites more attractive to tourists and researchers. He also highlighted the potential for collaboration on historic botanical gardens.

UNESCO’s regional director reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Egypt in preserving its agricultural and biological heritage. She emphasized UNESCO’s readiness to provide technical support and guidance aligned with global standards and sustainable development goals.

She also invited the Ministry to take part in an upcoming international event in Cairo focused on the historical development of Egyptian fruits—an area for which Egypt is renowned.

The meeting concluded with agreement on the importance of preserving Egypt’s 7,000-year-old agricultural legacy. A joint working group comprising experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, UNESCO, and FAO will be formed to assess needs and develop a comprehensive plan for the development of the Agricultural Museum and Aquarium, identifying key areas for collaboration.