Why Egypt postponed inauguration of world’s largest archaeological museum again
Egypt has postponed the full inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) to a later date, citing the need for ideal conditions to deliver a globally impactful event.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said current circumstances require a strategic delay to ensure the museum's grand opening reflects its historical and cultural significance. “This is a pivotal event for Egypt and the world, and must take place under the best possible circumstances,” he said in a government statement.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities echoed this, calling the postponement a move to uphold Egypt’s responsibility to present a world-class event that honours the scale of its heritage. The ministry emphasised that the delay allows time to fine-tune preparations for a ceremony that matches the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilisation.
Located near the Giza Pyramids, the $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum is set to be the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilisation.
While the official inauguration is delayed, the museum remains partially open to visitors through a soft opening phase, offering access to selected exhibitions.
In 1992, then Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, announced plans to build a new museum to bring together the ancient artefacts scattered throughout the country. In January 2002, Egypt launched a global competition to design a new museum near the Giza Pyramids to house its ancient treasures. A month later, a foundation stone was laid just 2km from the iconic site.
In 2003, Irish firm Heneghan Peng Architects won the bid with a striking modern design in which construction began in 2005, but the project faced significant delays due to environmental, financial, and political challenges.
The inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has been postponed at least five times. Originally scheduled for 2012, the opening was repeatedly delayed, first to late 2020, then to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequent rescheduling pushed it to 2022 and then 2023. A soft opening began in October 2024, but the full launch has yet to take place. The most recent delay shifted the planned July 3, 2025, opening to the last quarter of 2025, citing regional instability.
Once formally launched, GEM is expected to become a global cultural landmark, symbolising Egypt’s ancient legacy and its modern aspirations.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
