PASAY CITY – December 4, 2025 – The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) marked a milestone in diplomatic and cultural exchange with its 20th Ambassadors’ Lecture Series, hosted at its headquarters in Tower 4, DoubleDragon Plaza, Pasay. The event featured H.E. Nader Zaki, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Philippines, as its distinguished guest speaker.
Delivering a lecture titled “Bringing the ‘Grand Egyptian Museum’ to the Philippines: Celebrating 80 Years of Relations and Cultural Ties,” Ambassador Zaki took attendees on a journey through Egypt’s rich and layered history, which he described as the foundation of the nation’s unique identity—one that has fostered its ability to engage seamlessly with the global community.
The presentation opened with a special video showcasing the recent inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum, held just a month prior to the lecture. During the subsequent open forum, the Ambassador emphasized the institution’s profound significance beyond its role as a repository of artifacts.
“The Grand Egyptian Museum is not only about getting back our treasures from everywhere; it is also about letting Egyptians know more about their identity,” he stated. “Because if you don’t know your identity, you are lost. If you don’t know exactly who you are, you cannot play any role in your region, you cannot play any role in the world, you cannot deal with others.”
Ambassador Zaki traced the multi-faceted character of Egypt to its diverse historical tapestry, including the era of pharaonic dynasties, the arrival of Christianity in the first century, the peaceful introduction of Islam, periods of French and British rule, and the rise of Pan-Arabism.
Beyond cultural heritage, he also underscored Egypt’s enduring role in regional peace and stability. He highlighted key milestones in the country’s diplomatic efforts, including the signing of the historic Camp David Accords and the participation in a major peace summit held earlier this year.
The lecture served as a fitting tribute to the 80-year relationship between Egypt and the Philippines, offering attendees a deeper understanding of Egypt’s past, present, and its vision for the future.
Gracing also the ALS is Ambassador spounce Nancy Ramzy and daughters, Ahmed Hany, Egyptian Deputy Chief of Mission, Meshari Yousef Muhammad Alnibari Kuwait Ambassador, Muslim Journalist Mary Jane O Balaguer ( Maryam Jannah Binti Ismail) of www.dzmjonline.net and Michael N Balaguer ( Abdul Malik Bin Ismail) of www.diaryongtagalog.net and Muslim Women Group of Bulacan elders head Elvira Maryam Marohombsar.
