Demonstrating a heightened focus on international cultural diplomacy and sector development, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, represented by the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), completed its first-ever participation in the Museum Summit 2025. Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre under the theme “Setting Sail to New Horizons,” the summit provided a key forum for global museum leadership. This strategic engagement was undertaken in partnership with France’s Guimet Museum – National Museum of Asian Arts.
Mr. Sherif Fathy, the Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, articulated the significance of this initiative. “Egypt’s inaugural involvement in the Museum Summit 2025 represents a pivotal step in reinforcing our nation’s leading role in the stewardship of global cultural heritage,” Minister Fathy stated. He further affirmed Egypt’s “commitment to advancing the museum sector towards greater sustainability and international influence.”
The summit agenda addressed several critical areas pertinent to contemporary museum management and cultural policy. Dr. Tayeb Abbas, Chief Executive Officer of the NMEC Authority, reported that core discussion points encompassed:
- Human Capital Development: Strategies for capacity building and specialized training within the cultural heritage field.
- Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Collaborative approaches to safeguarding museum assets against emergent 21st-century challenges.
- Technological Integration and Tourism Synergies: Optimizing the use of technology in museum operations and exhibits, while strengthening links with the tourism sector.
- Sustainability Frameworks: Advancing environmentally and socially sustainable practices within museum operations.
- Community Engagement and Economic Viability: Enhancing societal well-being through cultural outreach and developing models for positive economic returns.
In the summit’s opening session, Ms. Fayrouz Fekry, Deputy CEO for Management and Operations at the NMEC Authority, presented the NMEC’s strategic initiatives. She positioned the museum as a “distinctive tourism asset providing a unique interactive visitor experience,” thereby stimulating cultural tourism. Ms. Fekry detailed how the NMEC contributes to sustainable tourism through “innovative educational and entertainment programs presenting Egyptian heritage contemporaneously,” which translates into measurable economic benefits and supports ancillary industries.
Furthermore, Ms. Fekry outlined the NMEC’s dedicated investment in professional development for its archaeological and museum staff, aligned with ministerial directives. This includes specialized training programs benchmarked against international standards and fostering global knowledge exchange. The NMEC also actively promotes cultural and environmental awareness via targeted workshops and educational activities.
Key recommendations emerging from the Museum Summit 2025 emphasized:
- The essential nature of robust international cooperation among museum institutions.
- The imperative to formulate innovative strategies for cultural heritage preservation and long-term sustainability.
- The strategic importance of integrating digital technologies within museum experiences.
- The need for greater integration between cultural programming and tourism development.
The Museum Summit serves as a significant international platform facilitating dialogue and collaboration across the global museum landscape. The 2025 event, its fourth iteration, convened over 30 senior professionals and specialists from 17 nations. Notably, the inclusion of Egypt, Hungary, Norway, Qatar, and Turkey as first-time participants signifies an expanding international commitment to collaborative cultural stewardship and heritage protection.
