Egypt hosting of WUF12 is ample proof of its success as organisers of international conferences and we are proud to host the event in Cairo next year
Egypt’s Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Assem el-Gazzar on Monday met with Maimunah Mohd Sharif, who is Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN‐Habitat), and Dr Irfan Ali, Chief of Staff of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
The meeting came within the framework of Egypt’s preparations to host 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) next year.
El-Gazzar said his ministry will organise field visits for forum participants to the giant housing and development projects in Egypt.
WUF12 is the second largest event on the United Nations agenda after the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), which was held in Sharm el-Sheikh last November.
The forum will be an opportunity to highlight Egypt’s urban experience.
Egypt is the first African country to host the event since the inaugural session in Nairobi, Kenya, and the second Arab country after Abu Dhabi to host the tenth session.
“That Egypt is hosting WUF12 is ample proof of our success as organisers of international conferences and we are proud to host the event in Cairo in 2024,” the minister said.
“This is a significant milestone in our partnership with UN-Habitat. We are eager to use this event as a platform to engage in global discussions around urbanisation and learn from other countries and stakeholders, and continue to build sustainable and resilient cities for future generations,” el-Gazzar said.
For her part, the UN-Habitat Executive Director said: “Egypt’s selection came after a rigorous review by the selection committee which also considered a number of other bids.”
During the meeting, the two sides signed the agreement to hold WUF12 here. Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli attended the signing.
The agreement contains articles on organisational matters, the financial obligations of both sides, the UN-Habitat responsibilities and the other services related to accommodation, transportation and medical services.
Cairo aims to set new benchmarks for all cities and communities to follow as previous WUF host cities did.
The forum comes after various achievements, including Egypt’s New Urban Communities Authority receiving the UN-Habitat 2021 Scroll of Honour award in the field of sustainable urbanisation and the success in hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27).
The WUF was established in 2001 by the United Nations to address one of the most pressing issues facing the world: rapid urbanisation and its impact on people, cities, economies, climate change and policies.
Following the meeting, the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN‐Habitat) toured a number of development and housing projects, being implemented in the New Administrative Capital.
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