The Director-General will open the largest exhibition hall that has been recently rehabilitated at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC). The event will take place in the presence of the Minister of Antiquities, H.E. Dr Khaled El-Enany, and the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, H.E. Mr Ashraf Al Sheehy. NMEC is the first museum in the Arab world and the only museum in Egypt that gives an overview of all eras of the Egyptian civilization (prehistory until nowadays). It is a project directed by the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt with the technical support from UNESCO.

The Director-General will visit the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo. The museum was opened by President Al Sisi on 18 January 2017.

In Cairo, Irina Bokova will inaugurate the new UNESCO Cairo Office premises in the presence of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The new premises were made possible thanks to the generous donation of the Egyptian Authorities. 

The Director-General is also expected to meet several high level government representatives including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr Sameh Shoukry, the Minister of Antiquities, H.E. Dr Khaled El-Enany, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, H.E. Mr Ashraf Al Sheehy, and Minister of Culture, H.E. Mr Helmy El Namnam.  

While in Egypt, the Director-General will visit the World Heritage Site of Abu Simbel. The Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979.

The Director-General will also visit the Nubia Museum Center in Aswan.