Members of the Egyptian Embassy in Kenya and several guests pose for an image.
The event was attended by Director-General of the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) Zainab Bangura, the Kenyan deputy minister of investment and trade, senior officials from the Kenyan Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, ambassadors, and members of the diplomatic community in Kenya and at the UN.
During the celebration, Egyptian Ambassador to Nairobi Hatem Yousry gave a presentation on the GEM, highlighting key facts about the landmark project and its main exhibits.
He noted that the museum had received the EDGE Advanced Green Building Certification for 2024, becoming the first green museum in Africa and the Middle East, a milestone warmly welcomed by attendees.
Yousry added that hosting the celebration at the UN headquarters reflects Egypt’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and the global effort to preserve cultural heritage.
He described the Grand Egyptian Museum as a model of such collaboration and a renewed testament to Egypt’s dedication to protecting human heritage.
Egypt’s embassies and consulates around the world also marked the GEM’s inauguration with a coordinated series of cultural events, part of Cairo’s wider strategy to promote Egypt’s heritage and soft power abroad.
From Washington to Canberra, Berlin, and Brasília, Egyptian diplomatic missions hosted receptions, screenings, and exhibitions celebrating what officials have called “the cultural project of the century.”
Similar events took place in Hamburg, France, the United Kingdom, and Japan, underscoring the coordinated outreach of Egypt’s global diplomatic network.
In Washington DC, the Egyptian embassy held a major reception at the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, attended by US lawmakers, diplomats, and cultural leaders.
In Canberra, the embassy held a gala reception featuring senior Australian officials, ambassadors, and representatives of the National Museum of Australia.
Beyond the GEM celebrations, Egyptian embassies have expanded their cultural programming, including film festivals, art exhibitions, and educational workshops, as part of ongoing efforts to promote Egypt as a centre of civilization and creativity.
Together, these initiatives highlight Egypt’s use of cultural diplomacy to foster dialogue, partnership, and mutual understanding, reinforcing its position as both a guardian of ancient civilization and an active contributor to global culture.
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