The Joint Assemblies of the World Urban Forum (WUF11) kicked off today, coinciding with the inauguration of the Forum itself. The event, held in Cairo, Egypt, underscores the nation’s commitment to sustainable urban development and its role in addressing global challenges.
Egypt’s Minister of Local Development, Manal Awad, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the significance of the Joint Assemblies as a platform for diverse stakeholders to convene and respond to pressing environmental and economic issues. She highlighted the international demand for resilient cities capable of weathering future challenges.
The Minister stressed the importance of empowering local administrations, updating laws, and building institutional capacity to enhance service delivery to citizens.
“In Egypt, we focus on the empowerment of local administrations, update the laws, and build the institutional capacity to enhance the efficiency of providing citizens with services” , ministter said
“Egypt’s progress in achieving SDGs, particularly goals 11 and 17, related to sustainable cities and partnerships, was acknowledged.” said the minister., adding that the government’s focus on developing infrastructure, mortgage financing, waste management, sustainable transportation, and climate resilience was underlined.
Om the other hand, Minister of Housing, Sherif El Sherbini, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the need to empower women and remove obstacles hindering their progress. He highlighted the importance of vocational training, digital learning, and decent housing as foundational elements for women’s development.
By bringing together experts, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world, the Joint Assemblies offer a unique opportunity to share knowledge, exchange best practices, and forge partnerships to create more sustainable and equitable cities.
The Joint Assemblies aim to foster discussions on gender equality, youth empowerment, and innovative strategies to address urban challenges.
