Today’s sessions within the Egyptian pavilion at the twelfth edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo featured strategic discussions on integrated development plans at the state level, Invest-Gate reports.

These discussions underscored the increasing urgency of aligning citizens’ needs with development plans, alongside highlighting the role of the presidential initiative projects, particularly the “Decent Life” initiative, in realizing targeted development programs in Egypt.

The session, titled “Balanced Regional Development: The Case of the National Initiative for Small Urban Areas,” saw the participation of key figures such as Maha Fahim, Chairman of the General Authority for Urban Planning; Gamil Helmy, Assistant Minister of Planning and International Cooperation; Amr Lashin, Deputy Governor of Aswan; and Mahmoud Sami, Member of the Financial and Economic Committee of the Senate.

Maha Fahim emphasized the significant contribution of the government’s 2014-2018 program, “Together We Can,” to bolstering the urban planning process, particularly through the implementation of an advanced road network. She highlighted the state’s commitment to promoting spatial development equity, a principle exemplified in the impactful Decent Life Initiative, which has notably uplifted villages and rural areas.

Fahim also noted the collaborative efforts of the General Authority for Urban Planning with international partners, such as the German development agency (GIZ), in developing approximately 16 classifications for urban areas, including strategies for addressing deteriorating areas and fostering urban development.

Gamil Helmy shared insights on the progress of the presidential initiative, Decent Life, nearing the completion and delivery of its initial phase projects. These projects, totaling 23,000 diverse initiatives with a combined investment of EGP 350 bn, aim to enhance citizens’ living standards and elevate the quality of life in rural regions.