Mohamed Moussa and Ayman Rushdi
More than 700 cyclists took part in a thrilling marathon in the heart of the bustling capital, Cairo, on Friday, with the participation of Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhy and Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber, alongside a group of 50 Arab and foreign ambassadors and members of the diplomatic community.
This marathon is a highlight of Cairo Urban Week, a series of events leading up to the World Urban Forum 12 (WUF12) hosted by Cairo on November 4-8.
The governor of Cairo stressed that organising the marathon is one of the promotional activities for the WUF. It reflects the state’s commitment to introducing young people to the forum and the importance of participating in its events.
The forum serves as a global platform for learning and sharing ideas with other countries, allowing strong benefits from sustainable development experiences that will be presented during the events, providing opportunities for exchanging knowledge and expertise with other nations.
Governor Saber said the marathon signals an important message on urban transformation efforts, clean energy use, and cycling in the capital, which are among the key themes to be addressed at the forum.
The governor said the governorate is keen on spreading the culture of sustainable transportation and clean energy transformation, citing the launch of Cairo Bike project that included 250 bikes in the first stage.
The governor also noted that the forum’s activities, including Cairo Urban Week, aim to promote these accomplishments showcasing modernising Cairo’s global identity as well as historic heritage.
Saber said the government is fully committed to preparing for the WUF12, noting that 24,000 participants from around the world will take part in the event till now, which is considered the largest number in the forum’s history.
