The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has been honored with the EDGE Advanced Green Building Certification by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), marking it as the first museum in Africa and the Middle East to achieve this recognition.
Supported by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the UK Government, the certification acknowledges the museum’s environmentally conscious design and construction, resulting in impressive energy savings of over 60% and a 34% reduction in water usage compared to conventional buildings of its size.
Covering half a million square meters, the GEM implemented sustainability measures such as a reflective roof, external shading for thermal comfort, resource-efficient lighting, water fixtures, and smart meters for energy consumption.
These initiatives translate into substantial environmental benefits, equivalent to removing over 400 gasoline-powered vehicles from Cairo’s streets for a year and saving 63.4 million liters of Nile River water annually.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, Egypt, emphasized the significance of the GEM’s certification in aligning with Egypt’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and the strategic partnership between Egypt and the IFC.
Cheick-Oumar Sylla, IFC’s Regional Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa, commended Egypt’s dedication to sustainability and highlighted the economic efficiency of green building practices.
Major General Atef Moftah, the Grand Egyptian Museum’s General Manager, expressed the museum’s commitment to sustainability and how the EDGE Advanced certification aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030 for clean energy. The certification is part of IFC’s Green Building project, a collaboration with the Government of Egypt’s Housing and Building National Research Center, aiming to enhance the green building ecosystem in Egypt.
Dr. Mohamed Massoud, Chairman of the Housing and Building National Research Center, praised the GEM as a new standard for sustainable construction in Africa, showcasing the power of collaboration between government, international organizations, and the private sector.
IFC, as the largest global development institution focusing on the private sector in emerging markets, has been actively involved in Egypt, with significant investments and advisory support across various sectors, including fintech, climate finance, manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare, and gender.
Source : Joycelyn Marigold -African Property Magazine
