Former UN Chief visits GEM
According to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the former UN chief toured the outdoor plaza, the main entrance hall, and the Grand Staircase.
The South Korean diplomat also explored the main exhibition galleries, which vividly illustrate the evolution of ancient Egyptian civilization from the early dynastic periods through various historical eras up to the Greco-Roman period.
South Korea's Ambassador to Egypt, Kim Yong-hyun, accompanied Ban Ki-moon during the visit.
Ban Ki-moon praised Egypt's tremendous efforts in establishing this unique cultural edifice and housing its rare archaeological treasures, the statement added.
He noted that the museum effectively introduces the world to the magnificence of ancient Egyptian civilization.
The GEM, scheduled to open on 3 July, is attracting dignitaries from around the globe who are visiting Egypt.
Last month, US President Donald Trump’s senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, Massad Boulos, toured the museum spanning an impressive 500,000 sqm, twice the area of the Louvre Museum and two and a half times the size of the British Museum.
Last April, upon his arrival in Cairo, French President Emmanuel Macron toured the GEM, which houses over 100,000 artefacts, including the priceless complete collection of Tutankhamun.
The museum launched a soft opening in November 2023 and a trial run in October 2024.
In recent remarks, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy stated that Egypt has a vision to turn the GEM into an international hub for research and studies in Egyptology, not just a venue for displaying antiquities.
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