Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, convened with a delegation from the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) on Sunday, which included Ahmed Rizk, Director of the UN-Habitat Program in Egypt.
During the meeting, Minister Fouad discussed a proposal outlining a collaborative project to foster a more balanced role for Egyptian cities. The primary objective is to establish a novel framework that empowers cities to assume pivotal roles at regional and national levels, thereby transforming them into burgeoning urban centers of attraction.
The proposed initiative aims to tackle city-specific challenges, elevate the status of women, children, and migrants, and address climate-related issues in connecting rural and urban areas.
The project will center on three key areas: advancing human resources to support future urban growth, attracting investments to stimulate economic progress, and empowering cities and rural communities to combat climate change.
The initiative’s goal is to establish an innovative model, beginning with the cities of Damietta and Assiut. This model can serve as a prototype for replication and expansion.
According to the Daily News Website, Minister Fouad recommended initiating a pilot project in an Egyptian city or village to foster tourist attractions and economic opportunities while promoting the involvement of local communities.
Additionally, she suggested promoting the Tribal Dialogue Initiative at the Arab regional level, which has the potential to be replicated in countries such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed Rizk highlighted the Program’s dedication to adhering to Egyptian and international procedural and legislative frameworks, as well as the United Nations Human Settlements Agenda. This dedication is evident in the Program’s active engagement with Egypt’s national policies, including the 2050 urban development strategy.
During the meeting, the UN-Habitat representatives provided updates on the latest Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) study developments. They also discussed ongoing initiatives to incorporate the informal sector, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance the shared bicycle project.
Additionally, they emphasized a new project aimed at utilizing nature-inspired technology to improve essential water and sanitation services.
