Egypt, UNESCO Discusses Cooperation in Archaeological Field

Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathi met with Dr. Nuria Sanz, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, and her delegation at the Ministry headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The discussion focused on ways to enhance collaboration in archaeological work between the Ministry and the UNESCO organization.

During the meeting, the Tourism Minister highlighted the existing cooperation between Egypt and the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo. He emphasized the strong bilateral relations in preserving antiquities and human heritage and expressed readiness to further enhance this cooperation.

The meeting reviewed the history of cooperation between Egypt and UNESCO, including the Nubian Antiquities Rescue Campaign in the 1960s. They also discussed ongoing cooperation frameworks such as the project to improve the display and interpretation of archaeological sites listed on the World Heritage List, as well as the restoration of King Amenhotep III's tomb (K22) in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.

Additionally, the Ministry's efforts to develop the capacities of its employees through workshops and training courses provided by the UNESCO Office were reviewed. 

Minister Sherif Fathy emphasized Egypt's commitment to preserving its cultural and human heritage, citing the formation of the Supreme Committee for the Management of World Heritage Sites in 2018.

In turn, Dr. Sanz expressed UNESCO's readiness to support the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities by providing technical and technological consultations to preserve archaeological sites in Egypt. 

She also expressed willingness to continue cooperation in development projects and to assist in preparing files for registering new archaeological sites on the World Heritage List and the tentative list of UNESCO.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Yomna Al-Bahar, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and Ambassador Khaled Tharwat, Advisor to the Minister for International Relations and General Supervisor of the General Administration of International Relations and Agreements at the Ministry.