Egypt’s President, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, inaugurated the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) on Monday, launching the “National Smart Cities” and “National Green Urbanism” strategies. The forum, held in Cairo, aims to address pressing urban challenges and promote sustainable urban development.
In his opening speech, President El-Sisi emphasized the need for global cooperation to address the impacts of climate change, conflict, and poverty on urban areas. He called for a renewed focus on peace, development, and reconstruction, particularly in regions affected by war and instability.
“Only then can we embark on serious endeavours to address urban challenges in societies ravaged by wars, fighting, displacement, famine, and disease,” he noted.
Al-Sisi also highlighted Egypt’s progress in urban development and construction in recent years, citing the “Decent Life” initiative for rural Egypt and informal settlements, the “Takaful wa Karama” initiative to support impoverished families, and the “Housing for All Egyptians” initiative.
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi expressed his hope that WUF would serve as a significant step toward implementing the “New Urban Agenda,” fostering stronger international partnerships, and innovating solutions to address urban development challenges and achieve sustainable development goals.
Speaking during the event, the chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council affirmed that President El-Sisi is leading an unprecedented urban renaissance in Egypt.
On the other hand, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the crucial role of cities in addressing global challenges and praised Egypt’s efforts in sustainable urban development. He underscored the importance of local and regional authorities in implementing sustainable solutions.
Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat, emphasized the significance of WUF12 as a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences. She noted the forum’s role in monitoring and reporting on the New Urban Agenda, a global commitment to sustainable urbanization.
The forum also provided an opportunity for regional leaders to discuss their respective challenges and aspirations. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi addressed the pressing issues facing their countries, highlighting the need for international support and cooperation.
As the world grapples with complex urban challenges, WUF12 offers a critical platform to shape the future of cities and promote sustainable urban development.
