On May 27, 2025, Professor Khaled El-Enany, former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, was invited to speak at the United Nations University (UNU) in Tokyo as part of its 50th anniversary Conversation Series.

His lecture was dedicated to Egyptian Museums and Archeology and how they are shaping the future of world heritage preservation. It was held alongside UNU Rector Tshilidzi Marwala, highlighted the increasingly vital role of museums as inclusive cultural institutions fostering intercultural dialogue, knowledge transmission, and global cooperation.

Beginning with the decipherment of the Rosetta Stone in 1822, Professor El-Enany traced the scientific foundations of Egyptology and its expansion across fields such as education, science, culture, and communication.

He emphasized the vital role of international institutions like UNESCO and the United Nations to safeguard world heritage amid today’s global instability. “Heritage preservation is a collective duty,” he noted, calling for a renewed commitment for future generations.

The public and interactive format sparked rich and dynamic exchanges with attendees from academic, diplomatic, and cultural backgrounds. A reception following the lecture offered space for further dialogue on heritage’s place in modern societies and its evolving role in a changing world.

This lecture embodied Professor El-Enany’s vision for a UNESCO that puts “people” as the main priority, grounded in knowledge transmission, openness, and cultural diversity.