CAIRO - 1 November 2025: In a landmark ceremony attended by leaders from around the world, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the world's largest museum dedicated for a single civilization, officially opened its doors, uniting thousands of years of ancient Egyptian heritage under one roof.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi led the inauguration of the grand museum before the eyes of 79 official delegations, including 39 led by kings, princes, and heads of state and government, opening a new chapter in the nation's history.
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Key Highlights:
20:30: Miniature replicas of the Grand Egyptian Museum, engraved with each country's name, were placed by world leaders, and El-Sisi placed the final piece representing Egypt, officially inaugurating the historic museum.
20:15: President El-Sisi delivered a speech during the ceremony, stressing that the Grand Egyptian Museum stands as a living embodiment of the journey of a people who have inhabited the land of the Nile since the dawn of history.
El-Sisi called on attendees from all corners of the world "to make this museum a platform for dialogue, a destination for knowledge, a meeting place for humanity, and a beacon for all who cherish life and believe in the value of humankind."
"Today, as we celebrate together the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum, we write a new chapter in the history of the present and the future of this great nation."
19:55: Maestro Nayer Nagui commands the stage with unmatched grace as a 120-member orchestra brings Egypt's story to life inside the Grand Egyptian Museum.
19:45: El-Sisi and world leaders arrive at the celebration area in front of the Grand Egyptian Museum to attend its grand opening.
19:36: World leaders pose for a group photo in front of the Grand Egyptian Museum ahead of its historic grand opening.
19:25: President El-Sisi and First Lady Entissar El-Sisi warmly welcome distinguished guests to the Grand Egyptian Museum's opening ceremony.
19:15: El-Sisi has arrived at the Grand Egyptian Museum to attend its official opening, a landmark event marking a new chapter in the history of culture and human civilization.
This is a developing story.
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What You Need to Know About GEM
The Grand Egyptian Museum, just outside of Cairo on the Giza Plateau and next door to the Great Giza Pyramids, opens its doors today in a historic, world-class event that will witness unprecedented international attendance.
Of the 79 official delegations in attendance, 39 are led by kings, princes, and heads of state and government, marking an unparalleled international high-level presence.
GEM stands as the world's largest archaeological complex dedicated to a single civilization, showcasing the history of ancient Egypt from 700,000 BC to 394 AD, uniting thousands of years of heritage under one roof.
The museum houses over 57,000 artifacts, including the complete treasures of King Tutankhamun, displayed together for the first time since the discovery of his tomb in 1922.
Spanning 490,000 square meters, the GEM features a 7,000 m² main entrance dominated by a colossal statue of King Ramses II, and a 6,000 m² Grand Staircase rising the equivalent of six stories, adorned with masterpieces from across Egyptian history.
Visitors will explore 12 main exhibition halls, temporary galleries, and a Children's Museum, all designed with cutting-edge museological techniques to create a fully immersive journey through Egypt's past.