The Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Eng. Sherif El-Sherbiny, met with Mr. Ahmed Rizk, Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) office in Egypt, accompanied by his delegation, to discuss the agenda for joint cooperation in the upcoming period and review existing areas of collaboration with a view to enhancing them. The meeting also included officials from the Ministry and the New Urban Communities Authority, Invest-Gate reports.

Minister Emphasizes Strategic Partnership

At the outset of the meeting, Minister El-Sherbiny highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to continuing and deepening its partnership with UN-Habitat, noting its pivotal role in supporting development projects and transferring international expertise. This aligns with Egypt Vision 2030 and the state’s strategy for comprehensive urban development. He emphasized that UN-Habitat acts as a strategic partner and a supportive arm for thinking beyond traditional frameworks, contributing to innovative and sustainable solutions.

Building on the Success of the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF)

El-Sherbiny noted that cooperation with UN-Habitat during the 12th edition of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Cairo marked the starting point for several key initiatives, including the National Strategy for Green Urban Planning and Construction, and the National Smart Cities Strategy. These efforts have played a significant role in supporting Egypt’s sustainable urban development agenda.

UN-Habitat Office Praises Egyptian Collaboration

Mr. Ahmed Rizk, Director of UN-Habitat in Egypt, praised the fruitful cooperation with the Ministry of Housing and expressed gratitude for the shared experience in organizing the WUF. He highlighted the importance of building on previous successes and establishing a clear framework for future cooperation. Rizk also acknowledged Egypt’s pioneering role, particularly in social housing and new city development, and emphasized the value of leveraging Egyptian expertise in these areas.

Exploring Key Areas for Future Cooperation

During the meeting, both sides reviewed current areas of collaboration, with a focus on enhancing urban planning, smart cities, urban community development, and policies supporting sustainable development. The discussion also covered proposed projects and initiatives to strengthen cooperation, aiming to achieve balanced urban growth and integration between existing and new cities.

Additionally, discussions included capacity building and training, seawater desalination, localizing industries related to Ministry projects, energy efficiency, and improving the quality of services provided to citizens in new cities, ensuring these services meet their needs and achieve a qualitative leap in service standards.

Commitment to a Comprehensive Cooperation Framework

In conclusion, Minister El-Sherbiny stressed the importance of a comprehensive methodology for cooperation between the Ministry and UN-Habitat, directing the need for continuous coordination between the joint working teams to enhance the efficiency of cooperation and achieve the desired objectives across all ongoing and proposed future projects.