Nadine Abdel Ghaffar Receives Circular Economy Excellence Prize at Circle the Med 2026

Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, founder of Art D’Égypte and Culturvator, has received the Circular Economy Excellence prize at the 2026 Circle the Med Mediterranean Forum.

Held under the theme ‘A New Pact for a Sustainable Mediterranean Future: Shared Vision; Collective Action’, the gathering was led by former Greek prime minister George A. Papandreou and attended by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Constantine An. Tassoulas.

Alongside receiving the award, Abdel Ghaffar participated in the forum’s ‘Living Heritage and Sustainable Tourism’ dialogue, which explored the role of cultural heritage in shaping more sustainable tourism models.

“Participating in the vital dialogue on ‘Living Heritage and Sustainable Tourism,’ this award is not just a personal milestone, but a testament to the global impact of Art D’Égypte,” Abdel Ghaffar said. “It reinforces our standing as a leading international organization dedicated to transforming cultural preservation into a catalyst for resilience, social cohesion, and inclusive economic growth.”

She added that the organisation views heritage as “the human pillar of sustainability” and said its work focuses on regenerative tourism models and community-led development that place local identity at the centre of sustainable innovation.

Art D’Égypte is known for staging exhibitions and cultural initiatives that bring contemporary art into historic sites across Egypt while promoting heritage preservation and public engagement, most notably through their famous ‘Forever is Now’ exhibits at the Great Pyramids of Giza.The protocol marks a significant step toward strengthening cultural diplomacy and fostering international cultural exchange through curated artistic and cultural initiatives across global markets.
The collaboration was officially launched through the first cultural visit organized under the protocol, during which Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, Founder of Art D’Égypte, visited China as part of a wider initiative aimed at building bridges between the Egyptian and Chinese cultural landscapes.
During the visit, Abdel Ghaffar engaged with several leading cultural entities, institutions, and creative spaces across Shanghai, exploring opportunities for future collaborations, artistic exchange programs, exhibitions, and long-term partnerships between both countries.
This initiative reflects a shared vision between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Art D’Égypte to position culture as a powerful tool for dialogue, connection, and international engagement, while showcasing the richness of Egyptian heritage and contemporary creativity abroad.
The protocol also paves the way for a series of upcoming international cultural visits and collaborations that aim to expand Egypt’s cultural outreach globally and strengthen relationships with key artistic and cultural institutions worldwide.
Ambassador Wael El-Naggar, Assistant Foreign Minister for Cultural Relations, affirmed that “culture and the arts are among the most important bridges that foster closeness and mutual understanding between peoples. This collaboration reflects the Egyptian state’s belief in the importance of cultural diplomacy as an effective tool for showcasing Egyptian identity and strengthening its presence on the international stage.”
Also Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, Founder of Art D’Égypte added: “This collaboration represents an important milestone in expanding Egypt’s cultural dialogue internationally and creating meaningful opportunities for artistic exchange and collaboration.