This was announced during a ceremony at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, celebrating museums with exceptional architectural design, a strong reflection of local heritage, and significant contributions to environmental sustainability.

Ambassador Alaa Youssef, Egypt’s ambassador to France and permanent representative to UNESCO, has received the award.

The accolade places GEM among seven globally recognized museums, highlighting its innovative design and cultural significance.

The other museums include the A4 Art Museum in China, the Smritivan Earthquake Museum in India, the Simose Art Museum in Japan, the Paleis Het Loo in the Netherlands, the Across Ages Museum in Oman, and the History Museum in Poland. 

Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s minister of tourism and antiquities, hailed the award as a major milestone for GEM. “This achievement elevates the museum’s global standing and shines a spotlight on its remarkable architectural design. It coincides with the museum’s recent soft opening, encouraging visitors from Egypt and worldwide to experience its unparalleled cultural offerings,” he said.

The GEM is one of Egypt’s most significant national projects and a global cultural icon. It is the largest museum dedicated to ancient Egyptian civilization, housing treasures like the full collection of King Tutankhamun’s artefacts, displayed together for the first time since they were discovered inside his tomb in 1922. The museum also features the Museum of the Khufu Boats.

Designed to symbolize the sun rays extending from the peaks of the Giza Pyramids, the museum’s architecture blends modernity with heritage, creating a unique visual and cultural experience.

The GEM is currently soft-opened, allowing visitors to explore key areas, such as the Hanging Obelisk Plaza, the atrium featuring the colossal statue of King Ramses II, and the awe-inspiring Grand Staircase, which showcases a selection of the finest huge artefacts from ancient Egypt. The staircase leads to a stunning panoramic view of the iconic Giza Pyramids.

Visitors can also enjoy the museum’s 12 main galleries, which present pieces from the Pre-Dynastic period to the Greco-Roman era, the Children’s Museum, and the museum’s commercial zone, which features restaurants and cafés.

 “The Grand Egyptian Museum is a modern achievement and a testament to Egypt’s rich history and its forward-looking vision. This award reinforces its role as a global cultural and entertainment destination,” Fathi said. He further thanked everyone involved in bringing this monumental project to life, highlighting the dedication and efforts of numerous national entities.

Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the GEM Authority, underscored the significance of the Prix Versailles, an international award recognizing outstanding contemporary architectural designs since 2015.

“The design of the GEM, inspired by the rays of the sun extending from the peaks of the three Giza Pyramids, converging into the shaped mass of the GEM embodies the essence of Egypt’s timeless heritage,” he explained.

The Prix Versailles recognition affirms the GEM as a centrepiece of global cultural tourism, attracting attention and admiration from visitors worldwide.

As it moves towards its official opening, the GEM is poised to become a beacon of Egyptian heritage, innovation, and artistry on the world stage.