Monday, 25 May 2026
Grand Egyptian Museum hosts Euro-Mediterranean cultural heritage event
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) recently hosted an informative day titled "Building Cultural Heritage Together: Euro-Mediterranean Insights," focusing on opportunities for Euro-Mediterranean collaboration in the field of cultural heritage. The event brought together representatives from cultural and research institutions, as well as heritage experts from Egypt and several European countries, aimed at strengthening international cooperation and supporting the sustainability of cultural heritage.
The initiative sought to introduce Egyptian institutions and researchers to available European funding opportunities in scientific research and innovation within heritage sciences. Key programs highlighted included Horizon Europe, PRIMA, and the Resilient Cultural Heritage (RCH) European Partnership. These efforts are designed to bolster the sustainability of Egyptian heritage while addressing contemporary challenges.
Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority, described the event as a significant step toward positioning the GEM as a regional hub for scientific dialogue and international cooperation in cultural heritage preservation. He emphasized the commitment to empowering Egyptian institutions and researchers to actively participate in European research and innovation networks, contributing to the protection and long-term sustainability of cultural heritage for future generations.
The program featured opening remarks from various officials and experts, followed by discussion sessions on research and innovation priorities, as well as frameworks for Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in heritage preservation.
Notable attendees included former Minister of Antiquities Dr. Mamdouh Eldamaty; Dr. Hani Helal, former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chairman of the UNESCO Chair for Science and Technology in Cultural Heritage Preservation at Cairo University; French Ambassador to Cairo Eric Chevallier; Slovenian Ambassador Sasho Podlesnik; Dr. Pascal Liévaux, Coordinator of the Joint Cultural Heritage Program at the French Ministry of Culture; and Dr. Salma Yousry, Assistant Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, representing the Minister. The event also saw participation from GEM leadership, representatives of the European Union, and the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo.
The informative day was organized in collaboration with Egypt's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the UNESCO Chair at Cairo University, and several European partners. It underscores the growing role of the Grand Egyptian Museum as a bridge for knowledge and diplomacy, connecting Egypt to international research networks in cultural heritage.