Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has ratified Presidential Decree No. 118 of 2025, approving a $7 million grant agreement between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and South Korea’s National University of Cultural Heritage. The funding will support the establishment of a Digital Heritage Center in Cairo, designed to preserve and document Egypt’s cultural legacy through state-of-the-art technology.
The agreement formalizes discussions held between the two institutions and marks a new phase in Egypt–South Korea cultural cooperation. The project will be implemented at the Prince Mohamed Ali Palace in Al-Manial, with completion expected by 2027.
A Centralized Digital Repository
The Digital Heritage Center aims to create a comprehensive digital archive of Egypt’s antiquities and heritage assets, with a focus on accessibility, conservation, and research. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the center will document over 275,000 artifacts from major institutions, including the Egyptian Museum, Coptic Museum, Museum of Islamic Art, and heritage documentation centers across Cairo.
The project falls under the framework of broader bilateral cooperation signed in 2022 and aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes digital transformation and sustainable cultural tourism.
Supporting Cultural Diplomacy and Innovation
Lawmakers and cultural officials have welcomed the initiative as a strategic step toward modernizing Egypt’s heritage management infrastructure. By digitizing large volumes of artifacts, the center is expected to strengthen museum operations, support educational outreach, and protect vulnerable assets from deterioration or loss.
Beyond preservation, the center also aims to facilitate international academic exchange and public engagement with Egyptian history — both in-person and online — through digitized collections and virtual exhibitions.
Governance and Implementation
The project will be jointly managed by the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Korean university, with oversight from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Capacity building, technology transfer, and long-term cooperation in digital heritage management are also key elements of the agreement.
The ratified decree follows parliamentary approval earlier this year and underscores Egypt’s continued efforts to position itself as a regional leader in heritage conservation through innovation.
