JICA President Tanaka Visited Egypt
2025.11.21
From October 30 to November 3, JICA President Tanaka Akihiko visited the Arab Republic of Egypt, where he attended the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on November 1, and met with key government officials including Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Advisor to the President for National Security Affairs Fayza Abuoulnaga, Minister Rania Almashat of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Minister Sherif Fathy of Tourism and Antiquities, and Minister Abudel Latif of Education and Technical Education, while also visiting JICA project sites in the country.
President Tanaka (right) signing the GEM guest book and GEM CEO Ghoneim (left)
GEM CEO Ghoneim and President Tanaka at the official opening ceremony of GEM
Drone art of King Tutankhamun at the GEM Official Opening Ceremony
In front of the ODA completion plaque installed at GEM (from left: Chief Representative Ebisawa of JICA Egypt, JICA President Tanaka, Minister Fathy of Tourism and Antiquities, CEO Ghoneim of GEM, and Chief Secretary Kato of the Office of President of JICA)
The GEM Official Opening Ceremony was a grand celebration, attended by VIPs and key government officials invited from countries around the world. President El-Sisi expressed his gratitude at the beginning of his speech, saying, "We will never forget the support of Japan." GEM boasts the largest scale in the world for a museum dedicated to a single civilization. JICA has provided multifaceted cooperation for the opening of GEM since 2006, including technical cooperation on artifact preservation/restoration, exhibition, and museum operation, in addition to construction cooperation through Japanese ODA loans. With this official opening, Egypt will attract even more tourists from all over the world. President Tanaka offered his encouragement, saying, "I hope this museum grows into one that everyone interested in human history feels they must visit."
Meeting with Prime Minister Madbouly and Minister Almashat of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation
In the meeting with Prime Minister Madbouly and Minister Almashat of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, President Tanaka expressed his congratulations on the official opening of GEM. He also mentioned the long-standing relationship of trust JICA has built with Egypt, conveying his desire to continue contributing to the country’s sustainable development. Prime Minister Madbouly offered his appreciation, stating that Japan is a wonderful friend and partner for its more than 70 years of cooperation with Egypt.
At the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), President Tanaka delivered a lecture on the theme of "JICA and Human Security" to over 300 people, including students and faculty. He emphasized the importance of empowerment through education while introducing practical examples of JICA's projects in Egypt, the country situated in the unstable Middle East. During the Q&A session following the lecture, international students from Africa and Gaza expressed their gratitude for the scholarship program offered by JICA and E-JUST for African and Palestinian students.
President Tanaka’s lecture at E-JUST
He also inspected various JICA project sites, including the Alexandria International Airport Terminal, which was completed in 2024, the construction site of the Cairo Metro Line 4, the Cairo University Pediatric Hospital (which Japan cooperated for the construction in 1982), and the activities of a JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteer who coaches the Egyptian National Judo Team.
Cairo Metro Line 4
Cairo University Pediatric Hospital
With a JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteer who coaches the Egyptian National Judo Team
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