The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hany Sewilam, stated that the Irrigation Museum in Egypt's New Capital is a significant cultural and scientific addition. It reflects the country's long history of achievements in water resource management and highlights the crucial role of science and engineering in supporting development throughout all eras.
According to Sewilam, the museum was established as part of the ministry's efforts to preserve its scientific and engineering heritage, protect the heritage of Egypt's water resources sector, and ensure this heritage is accessible to current and future generations. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the history of water use in Egypt, showcasing the accumulated experience and the country's unique civilizational legacy in this field.
The Minister added that the museum offers a comprehensive educational experience, documenting the evolution of water resource management in Egypt. It shows how the country successfully applied science, planning, and engineering at different historical stages to implement water projects that played a vital role in achieving agricultural and economic progress, as well as promoting sustainable water management.
He noted that the museum features an outstanding collection of historical documents, artifacts, engineering models, and scientific instruments, alongside modern interactive displays. These elements provide visitors with an enriching experience that combines historical accuracy with contemporary methods of information presentation.
Sewilam emphasized that the ministry has applied a modern vision to the museum that goes beyond simply displaying exhibits. Instead, the museum has been transformed into an interactive educational and cultural space, emphasizing the importance of water to the building of Egyptian civilization and honoring the generations of scientists and engineers who contributed to the development of Egypt's irrigation and water management systems.
Furthermore, the museum serves as a cultural landmark reflecting an important chapter in Egypt's history, as well as a platform for disseminating knowledge and raising public awareness about water-related issues. It also underscores the country's long-standing efforts to conserve water resources and achieve sustainable development, while reflecting the state's vision for the future. The museum is scheduled to open to visitors after the official announcement of its opening date.
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Giza has achieved significant success, becoming the third most visited museum in the world despite only opening its doors in November 2025. This fact highlights the high international interest in Egyptian history.
The museum is located just two kilometers from the Giza pyramid complex and features an extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts covering the country's rich history—from the Predynastic period to Roman Egypt. Its collection comprises over 100,000 items, with 20,000 newly exhibited to the public, including the complete Tutankhamun collection.
Visitors are also drawn to recently restored exhibits, such as the second solar boat of Khafre, a collection belonging to Queen Hetchepheres (mother of King Khafre), and artifacts of Yuya and Tuya (parents of Queen Tiye).
Other notable features of the GEM include the New Heritage Library, launched in July 2026, which houses 17,000 rare volumes and reference materials on archaeology and Egyptology. The Great Hall features the imposing three-thousand-year-old monumental statue of Ramses II. Furthermore, a dramatic six-story staircase contains about 60 important ancient relics, including sarcophagi and statues of deities.
A post on Instagram by @nationbrandco, citing 'Forbes,' notes that the success of the GEM demonstrates that heritage is one of the nation's most vital strategic assets. The post's author asserts that thoughtful curation, investment, and presentation of history contribute to tourism development, economic growth, and global influence.
In 2025, Egypt welcomed 18.6 million international visitors, confirming the potential of cultural heritage as a powerful driver of the national tourism strategy. For African countries, this serves as an example of how history can become a competitive advantage if invested in world-class museums.
According to the 'Forbes' Top 10 World Museums ranking, following the Louvre Museum in Paris (France) with 9 million visitors and the Vatican Museums (Vatican City) with 6.8 million, the Grand Egyptian Museum (Giza, Egypt) ranks third with 6.5–7 million. The list also includes the National Museum of Korea (Seoul, South Korea), the British Museum (London), the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (USA), the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City (Mexico), the Russian State Museum in St. Petersburg (Russia), the Uffizi Galleries in Florence (Italy), and Tate Modern in London (United Kingdom).
