As the 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) approaches, Cairo, Egypt is set to host the event from 4th to 8th November this year, returning to the African continent after more than 20 years after its inception in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2002.
The event, organized by UN-Habitat, is set to showcase the city’s cultural diversity, unique heritage, and innovative urban solutions.
Under the theme “It all starts at home: Local actions for sustainable cities and communities,” WUF12 will focus on localizing the Sustainable Development Goals and on the local actions and initiatives required to curb current global challenges.
During the press conference, Ahmed Rezk, Director of UN-Habitat Egypt Office, provided a detailed overview of what to expect from Cairo Urban Week in a press conference. He emphasized that the week-long event is designed to build momentum for the upcoming World Urban Forum and leverage the experience of the city.
“There is need for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and capacity-building to address urbanization challenges in East Africa. The upcoming event will provide a platform for further discussions and actions to promote sustainable urban development in the region.” She said.
Abdelkhalek Ibrahim, Assistant Minister of Housing for Technical Affairs at the Egyptian Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, further stated that there is importance of regional partnerships and collaborations in promoting sustainable urban development in East Africa. He mentioned a high-level meeting with African ministers to discuss the outcomes of the African Urban Forum and how to implement them in practice.