Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has chaired a meeting of the Higher Committee for Organising the Inaugural Ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) to review the final operational, logistical, and security arrangements for the event. At the meeting, the prime minister stated that the committee was convened to review the final touches for the opening festivities and confirm all related arrangements. He stressed his commitment to overseeing all details, including reception plans for high-level dignitaries and their transport and security. Madbouly affirmed that these efforts were crucial to ensuring the celebration unfolds in a manner "befitting Egypt's rich history and heritage," adding that there will be continuous on-site visits to monitor the progress of all preparations. The meeting was attended by a host of senior officials, including Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport; Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development; Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development; Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; and Sameh El-Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation. Also present were Ahmed Fouad Henno, Minister of Culture; Ibrahim Saber Khalil, Governor of Cairo; Adel El-Naggar, Governor of Giza; Hossam Hassan of the Tourism and Antiquities Police; Walid Aref of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority; Mohamed El-Molla, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs; Tarek Nour, Chairperson of United Media Services; Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum; and Khaled Nofal, Assistant Minister of Finance. During the session, officials presented detailed updates on extensive infrastructure projects supporting the museum's opening. Walid Aref of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority reported that all internal project works for the GEM are 100% complete. He explained this includes a 1,270-metre tourist walkway with associated administrative, commercial, and service facilities. The authority has also paved eight roads totalling over 8 kilometres and constructed parking facilities to accommodate 1,460 cars, 241 buses, and 100 golf carts across multiple sites. Aref also confirmed the completion of utility networks, including external lighting for the main facade, power grids, and systems for rainwater drainage, water supply, and firefighting. Updates on transport connectivity were provided by Kamel Al-Wazir. He detailed progress on the 110-kilometre Greater Cairo Ring Road development, highlighting advanced completion rates on sections near the museum. He also reported on the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which has begun trial operations and will feature 48 stations, and the status of Metro Line 4, which will serve the museum via the dedicated "Grand Egyptian Museum Station." Supporting these transport upgrades, regional governors outlined local development initiatives. Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber Khalil described works on the Ring Road within his governorate, including a "visual identity" project to paint building facades and add elements inspired by ancient Egyptian civilisation. Giza Governor Adel El-Naggar detailed the works in the area immediately surrounding the GEM, which include upgrading traffic corridors, paving roads, adding green spaces, and installing new lighting and beautification elements to enhance the urban quality of the vicinity.
