In an interview with ON TV, Ghoneim said preparations are underway for the grand opening ceremony, comprising multiple events that showcase Egypt's unique cultural heritage.

"We are exploring various options, potentially extending the festivities for several days or even weeks, including holding celebrations internationally."

"The format will be unlike any previous celebration," he noted.

The United Media Services Company, which previously curated the historic Royal Mummies Parade in April 2021 and the Avenue of Sphinxes opening ceremony in November 2021, would handle all preparations and execution for the GEM's grand opening, he added.

Strategic planning
 

Situated near the newly-inaugurated Sphinx International Airport and overlooking the iconic Pyramids of Giza, the GEM is set to become the largest museum worldwide dedicated to a single civilization: ancient Egypt.

The museum spans an impressive 500,000 square metres, twice the area of the Louvre Museum and two and a half times the area of the British Museum.

Ghoneim stressed to ON TV that the museum, which houses an unparalleled collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts, including the complete treasures of King Tutankhamun, is poised to become one of the world's largest and most prominent cultural and heritage institutions.

The GEM launched a soft opening in November 2023 and a trial run in October 2024, unfurling gardens and cafes, the hanging obelisk, the atrium, the grand staircase, and the main galleries, including 12 exhibition halls, to the public.

Shortly after, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) awarded the GEM the prestigious Prix Versailles award for being one of the world’s most beautiful museums for 2024.

Ghoneim explained that the financial cost of establishing the Grand Egyptian Museum amounted to $1.2 billion, with $750 million procured through loans and the rest in financing from the Egyptian government.

The investment will boost the Egyptian economy by increasing the number of tourists visiting the country, added Ghoneim.