Egypt is making preparations to host the 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in November, collaborating closely with the United Nations to ensure its success. Minister of Local Development, Manal Awad, convened with UN-Habitat Country Program Director Rania Hedeya and Country Director Ahmed Rezk on Monday to discuss the arrangements for the forum.
With the support of UN-Habitat, Egypt is set to host the event, marking the first time an African nation and the second Arab country will host the forum since its establishment in Nairobi, Kenya.
Awad has emphasized the government’s dedication to ensuring the success of the forum, highlighting Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s close oversight of the preparations. She has also underscored the significance of presenting Egypt’s accomplishments in urban planning and development, specifically in addressing slums and working towards sustainable development goals.
According to Daily News Website the Ministry of Local Development is collaborating with the Ministry of Housing to promote the forum and engage Egyptian governorates in its activities. The strategy involves tackling urban challenges such as climate change through collaborations and showcasing Egypt’s achievements in this area.
Hedeya commended Egypt for its efforts in preparing for the World Urban Forum and expressed confidence in the country’s capacity to host a successful event. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has pledged to assist Egypt in its preparatory and implementation endeavors.
The discussions also centered on collaborative initiatives, encompassing urban development in Dahab, infrastructure projects in Qena and Damietta, and the adoption of an intelligent waste management solution. Awad emphasized the ministry’s commitment to partnering with UN-Habitat to enhance local services and bolster capabilities.
The forum is poised to serve as a platform for deliberating on global urban challenges and devising effective solutions. Egypt seeks to leverage the event to showcase its advancements in sustainable urban development.
