Egypt invites world leaders, public figures to attend Grand Egyptian Museum opening in November

CAIRO – 10 August 2025: The Cabinet reviewed the list of world leaders invited to attend the grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on 1 November, confirming that invitations had been sent out to various countries as well as leading public figures.

Egyptian ambassadors abroad are actively following up to ensure the highest possible level of international participation, said Assistant Foreign Minister for Cultural Relations Yasser Shaaban during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Sunday.

Board member of the United Media Services Mohamed El Saadi highlighted to attendees the ongoing arrangements for the main ceremony as well as key segments and accompanying activities.

The event is anticipated to be a major global media focus, given the museum’s immense cultural value, which transcends national significance to represent a global civilizational legacy, El Saadi noted.

Strategically located on the Giza Plateau, adjacent to the iconic Great Pyramids and the Sphinx International Airport, GEM is dedicated to preserving Egypt's unique heritage.

The museum is among the largest and most modern museums globally, covering an expansive 500,000 square meters and housing an extensive collection of artifacts, including the priceless complete collection of Tutankhamun.

Many of these rare and unique archaeological finds have never been publicly displayed before, making GEM a significant addition to the global cultural landscape.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has approved setting November 1 as the official opening date for GEM opening. Last week, Madbouly emphasized that the inauguration is being planned as a landmark international event, highlighting its importance as one of Egypt’s most prestigious national milestones in recent history.

The ceremony is expected to attract prominent official delegations from around the world and feature a range of accompanying cultural and artistic events.

GEM is set to become the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated for one civilization, showcasing the rich and diverse legacy of ancient Egyptian civilization. It is anticipated to become a major global tourism and cultural destination, drawing millions of visitors from across the globe.

GEM opening was originally scheduled for early July but was postponed just two weeks prior due to regional tensions, including the outbreak of war between Iran and Israel at the time of the announcement.

Late in May, the Egyptian prime minister announced that invitations have been sent to kings and presidents around the world to attend the museum opening.

President Sisi has emphasized the need to intensify preparations to ensure that the opening of GEM reflects the status and history of the nation.

The museum opening is set to serve Egypt’s ambitious goal in attracting 30 million tourists by 2028, double the number it received in 2024, with the country relying on tourism as a vital source of foreign currency.