JICA President Akihiko Tanaka visited the Arab Republic of Egypt from October 30 to November 3 to attend the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) held on November 1, He also met with Prime Minister Madbouly, President Aboul Naga, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Al-Mashaat, Minister of Tourism and Archaeology Sherif Fathy, Minister of Education and Technical Education Abdel Latif, and other government officials, and inspected JICA projects.
GEM Director Tanaka (right) and GEM Director Ghoneim (left) signing the GEM entrance name card on the stage of the official GEM opening ceremony.
Photo of the official opening ceremony of GEM (Drone Art of King Tutankhamen) In front of the ODA’s completion plaque installed at GEM (from left to right: Dr. Ebisawa, Director General of Egypt Office; Chancellor Tanaka; Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Fathy; Dr. Ghoneim, Director General of GEM; and Dr. Kato, Director General of GEM Office)
At the official opening ceremony of the GEM, the opening of the museum was celebrated in grand style with invited dignitaries from around the world. President El-Sisi opened his speech by expressing his gratitude, saying, “I will never forget Japan’s support for the GEM, which is the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization. Since 2006, JICA has provided multifaceted support for the opening of the GEM, including technical assistance for the conservation and restoration of artifacts on display, exhibitions, and museum operations, in addition to construction support through yen loans. The official opening of the museum is expected to attract even more tourists from around the world. President Tanaka expressed his hope that the museum will become a must-visit destination for all those interested in the history of humankind.
Meeting with Prime Minister Madbouly and Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Al-Mashaat, among others
During his meeting with Prime Minister Madbouly and Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Al-Mashaat, President Tanaka expressed his congratulations on the official opening of the GEM and noted that JICA has built a relationship of trust with Egypt over the years, and expressed his desire to continue to contribute to Egypt’s sustainable development. Prime Minister Madbouly expressed his gratitude for the 70th anniversary of the GEM. Prime Minister Madbouly thanked Japan for its support to Egypt over the past 70 years, saying that Japan has been a great friend and partner.
Chancellor Tanaka gave a lecture on “JICA and Human Security” to a total of over 300 students, faculty, and staff at the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST). In Egypt, where the situation in the Middle East is unstable, I introduced practical examples of JICA’s activities and stressed the importance of empowerment through education. During the Q&A session after the lecture, students from Africa and Gaza expressed their appreciation for JICA and E-JUST’s scholarship program for students from Palestine.
Lecture at E-JUST
In addition, they visited the Alexandria International Airport terminal, which is scheduled to be completed in 2024; the construction site of Cairo Metro Line 4; the Cairo University Children’s Hospital, which Japan helped build in 1982; and the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, who are coaching Egypt’s national judo team.
Cairo Metro Line 4 Cairo University Children’s Hospital
© Source JICA