Grand Egyptian Museum Launches Environmental Training for Tour Guides

The Grand Egyptian Museum has launched its first environmental awareness programme for tour guides as part of a broader initiative developed in partnership with the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA).

Organised by the Ministry of Local Development and Environment, through the Central Administration for Environmental Information, Culture and Environmental Awareness, the programme is part of a cooperation protocol aimed at strengthening environmental practices across the museum. According to Minister of Local Development and Environment Dr Manal Awad, the initiative covers museum employees and tour guides and also includes environmental awareness activities for children visiting the museum.

Under the agreement, the EEAA will develop the scientific and educational content for the museum's environmental programme, provide technical support for awareness activities and prepare training materials covering a range of environmental topics.

The first sessions included a lecture by Dr Rehab Youssef, Director General of Culture and Awareness at the EEAA, titled 'The Environment in Ancient Egyptian Civilisation', which explored environmental principles reflected in ancient Egyptian heritage. A second session, delivered by Engineer Yousra Abdelaziz, Head of the Plastics Unit at the Waste Management Regulatory Authority, focused on plastic pollution, Egypt's waste management policies and efforts to advance a circular economy.

The programme also highlighted national initiatives including the Waste Management Law, the strategy to reduce single-use plastic bags and the 'Qalelha' awareness campaign. Organisers emphasised the role of tour guides in promoting environmentally responsible practices among visitors in line with Egypt Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.