CAIRO — Seven years after touring the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) while it was still under construction, UN Secretary-General António Guterres returned on Sunday to see Tutankhamun’s treasures on display, praising ancient Egypt’s influence on Europe and the wider world.
During his October 25 visit, Guterres viewed Tutankhamun’s golden mask and the monumental statue of Ramses II, two of the museum’s most celebrated exhibits.
In a post on X, he described GEM as an “impressive testament to the country’s enduring legacy,” highlighting Egypt’s contributions to human history. In an accompanying video, he expressed admiration for the collections and spoke of ancient Egyptian civilisation’s influence on Europe and other regions.
Guterres had first visited the site in April 2019, inspecting its construction work, restoration centre and wood conservation laboratory. The completed museum, located near the Giza Pyramids, now displays more than 5,000 artefacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb together for the first time.
The visit came days before the museum’s first anniversary on November 1, following its official inauguration in 2025. Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities reported approximately four million visitors through the end of August 2026, while Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy estimated cumulative attendance at between 4.5 million and five million in October.
Cultural Heritage and International Dialogue
Guterres’ museum tour formed part of a three-day official visit to Egypt that included diplomatic discussions on the Gaza crisis and the situations in Sudan and Libya. The trip also coincided with United Nations Day on October 24, when the organisation marked its founding and commitment to international cooperation.
In the museum’s distinguished visitors’ book, Guterres described GEM as a beacon of Egypt’s rich heritage. According to Egypt’s state news agency MENA, he emphasised that preserving cultural heritage, promoting mutual understanding and encouraging dialogue between cultures reflected values central to the United Nations’ mission.
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