In a session held at the Ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, Mr. Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, chaired the Board of Directors meeting of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). The Minister opened the meeting by welcoming new board members and extending New Year greetings, expressing hopes for continued institutional growth and the achievement of strategic goals in 2026.
Global Success for Egyptian Artifacts
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, briefed the board on the remarkable international reception of Egyptian exhibitions. Key highlights include:
"Treasures of the Pharaohs" (Rome, Italy): Over 87,000 tickets sold since its October opening.
"Ancient Egypt Reveals Its Secrets" (Hong Kong): Welcomed 68,000 visitors since late November.
"Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs" (Tokyo, Japan): Attracted a massive 408,000 visitors since its launch in March.
International Cooperation & Strategic MoUs
The board approved several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to bolster international archaeological ties:
Bahrain: A partnership with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities for expertise exchange in excavations, museum displays, and scientific research.
Zimbabwe: An agreement with the Ministry of Defense and War Veterans Affairs to provide technical support for the "Museum of African Liberation" and the construction of a monument in Zimbabwe celebrating Egypt’s victory over colonialism.
China: A joint effort with the National Cultural Heritage Administration to prepare a UNESCO World Heritage nomination for the "Baiheliang Inscriptions" (China) and the "Nilometer at Roda Island" (Egypt).
Site Enhancements and Services
In a move to streamline the visitor experience, the board approved including the Step Pyramid of Djoser (Southern Entrance) and the Southern Tomb within the comprehensive "Saqqara Site Ticket."
Furthermore, the board approved:
Increasing incentives for archaeological custodians and personnel handling legal seizures.
Adjusting daily wages for excavation workers nationwide.
Contracting a specialized firm to restore and rehabilitate King Farouk’s Rest House at the Giza Pyramids plateau.
Public-Private Partnerships
Minister Fathy expressed his gratitude to Sharp El Araby for their donation of 12 air purifiers for the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, along with 8 eco-friendly dehumidifiers for Giza and Saqqara. He praised the initiative as a model for private-sector cooperation in enhancing the tourist experience.
The meeting concluded with the approval of several decisions from the Permanent Committees for Egyptian, Islamic, and Coptic Antiquities regarding mission operations and the official registration of newly excavated artifacts.
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