Dr. Gihane Zaki took the constitutional oath of office before President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, officially assuming her role as Egypt’s new Minister of Culture, succeeding Dr. Ahmed Fouad Henu. Following the ceremony, Dr. Zaki expressed gratitude for the president’s trust and highlighted his personal commitment to advancing Egypt’s cultural agenda and developing its human capital.
“President Sisi places special attention on culture and building the Egyptian citizen,” she said. “We will continue the work of previous ministers and strengthen Egypt’s cultural presence internationally. My priority is a comprehensive strategy to achieve cultural equity and expand activities across all regions in line with Egypt Vision 2030.”
Dr. Zaki brings over 35 years of experience in cultural heritage, archaeology, academia, diplomacy, and public service. Her career includes leadership roles such as chairing the Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome—the first woman to hold the post—researching at France’s CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) at Sorbonne University, and serving on the Egyptian Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee.
She earned her PhD in Egyptology from the University of Lyon, France, in 2000, following a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Helwan University in Cairo. She has taught courses on Ancient Egyptian civilization, religion, and art history, supervised graduate programs, and represented Egypt in UNESCO and ICCROM initiatives for heritage preservation.
Dr. Zaki has overseen initiatives including the Nubian Monuments Rescue Fund, managed international cultural conferences, and strengthened Egypt’s cultural diplomacy in Europe and worldwide. She has received numerous international honors, including France’s Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite, the French Legion of Honor, the Arab League Artistic Innovation Award, and recognition by UNESCO as one of 70 women worldwide on its 70th anniversary.
Born in Cairo’s Heliopolis district in 1966, Dr. Zaki began her academic career in 1988 at Helwan University, rising to full professor of Egyptology. She is a lifelong member of the Egyptian Scientific Academy, the nation’s oldest scientific institution, and a recognized authority in cultural diplomacy and heritage management.
