Eng. Khaled Abbas, Chairman and Managing Director of the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD) participated in MIPIM 2025 conference, held in Cannes, France, from March 11 to 14, 2025. This conference is one of the most prominent global events specializing in the real estate sector.

This year’s conference focuses on the concept of sustainability in real estate, showcasing the latest innovations and global trends aimed at creating sustainable cities and projects that balance urban development with the preservation of environmental resources.

Notably, Eng. Khaled Abbas participated in a talk entitled “7 Years Of Dreaming Big” which focused on the transformative milestones of the New Capital from its inception to the present day. He also took part in a panel discussion titled “African Real Estate – Navigating Sustainability and Urbanization,” highlighting the challenges and unique opportunities within the New Capital.

In this context, Abbas stated, “This is the first time a company owns a city in Egypt; all other cities belong to the government. From the very beginning of the idea of the New Capital, ACUD has been responsible for owning, operating, and managing the city.”

“Our master plan is built on three main pillars: sustainability, green initiatives, and smart technology. For the first time, we are creating a city in Egypt that embodies these principles,” Abbas added.

He discussed sustainability in the New Capital, noting that it is one of ACUD’s main goals across various aspects. “We have our own regulations in place, as well as incentives for developers focusing on LEED certification for new buildings. 30% of government buildings are powered by solar panels.”

He expressed pride in having one of the largest towers, known as the ‘Forest Tower,’ which is the first zero-carbon tower in the New Capital. It will utilize green energy for 25% of its power needs. Moreover, our infrastructure is designed to be smart, minimizing waste and optimizing resources such as water.

Abbas emphasized that investing in sustainability may require initial expenditures, but the returns in quality of life for residents are significant. “We are constructing the largest district cooling plant in Egypt, which will be fueled by 50% natural gas. Additionally, we have established a central management center for the city’s infrastructure, aimed at reducing resource consumption and minimizing water waste.”

In terms of green spaces, he stated, “We are developing one of the largest parks in the world, spanning almost 1,000 acres. This park will provide a vibrant space for residents to live and enjoy leisure activities.”

Regarding the reason for building the New Capital, he highlighted that the answer lies in the significant challenges Egypt faces, particularly the annual population growth rate of 2.5%, which translates to over 2.5 mn newborns each year. “This is a substantial figure, and we need to address it by creating new urban areas. Over the past decade, we have developed more than 20 new cities to accommodate this growth.”

He explained that this initiative is aimed at the new generations. “Today, nations are focusing on technology, sustainable practices, and health. This shift marks a new era for younger generations, who now prioritize living in quality environments. The entire country is now centered around the new capital, including the Parliament, the Senate, and even the President. Last year, we hosted numerous summits in the New Capital.”

Abbas showcased about the latest updates of New Capital in 2024. He explained that the entire government is now operating from the New Capital. Most of the parliament has moved to the New Capital, and the Senate will relocate next month. The presidential office is ready, and we hosted many summits last year in the New Capital, the most recent being the Arab Summit last week. The dream has come true, as over 15,000 people are now living in the New Capital. We are set to begin the infrastructure for Phase 2 due to high demand from developers in the private sector, with 70% of the land already allocated for this phase. He noted that the strong demand for the New Capital prompted us to plan for Phase 2.

Abbas emphasized that the demand is primarily coming from Egyptians, as the population exceeds 100 mn and increases by more than 2.5 mn each year. This creates investment opportunities in residential, commercial, office, health, and education sectors, among others.

He highlighted that we started building the New Capital because the population increase presents a significant challenge. According to the strategic development plan for 2050, the population is expected to reach 180 mn, necessitating accommodation for this growth. We also studied various new capitals around the world, such as Astana and Brasília, and found that their main challenge is their distance from established hometowns, which makes people reluctant to move. In contrast, the New Capital is situated just 50 km from the old capital and 50 km from the Suez Canal corridor, facilitating its development and encouraging people to relocate.

He stated that our goal is to build a futuristic city, as 60% of our population consists of youth. Our master plan is built on three main pillars: green, sustainable, and smart.

Abbas pointed out that the New Capital is fully integrated with smart technology; we have two centers: one for infrastructure management and another for safety and security. Regarding sustainability, the smart infrastructure helps reduce waste and optimize resource use, and all internal transportation systems are environmentally friendly.

He added that the master plan for the New Capital was developed in 2016, and we began construction in 2017 when the area was entirely desert.

On the sidelines of the exhibition, Invest-Gate conducted a press interview with Eng. Khaled Abbas. He discussed the importance of ACUD’s participation in MIPIM 2025 and the latest developments related to its projects.

Abbas explained that ACUD’s participation in the exhibition for the third consecutive year aims to showcase what has been achieved on the ground. All investment opportunities in the New Capital have become a tangible reality following the completion of the entire infrastructure, allowing any investor to purchase land and begin implementing their projects immediately.

He added that the New Capital offers diverse activities, such as cooling plants, which represent promising investment opportunities, as well as major entertainment projects, most notably the “Green River,” which is now ready for operation.

Abbas emphasized that participation in the exhibition reflects the continuous development witnessed by the New Capital year after year, as well as the seriousness and commitment to implementing projects. This demonstrates that they are not merely theoretical plans, but rather initiatives executed to the highest standards.

Regarding project implementation rates, Abbas indicated that they are experiencing rapid growth. The exhibition represents an ideal opportunity to showcase the initial outputs of phase 2 and engage with developers and investors to understand their requirements, ensuring they are met in the upcoming phases.

He also expressed pride in the success of the New Capital project, emphasizing that it has become the headquarters of state administration, housing all its institutions. The recent hosting of the Arab Summit is a major event that demonstrates the New Capital’s readiness to host significant gatherings in record time.

Abbas pointed to the substantial progress made in implementing the water station in the capital, explaining that it is a massive investment project costing approximately EGP 40 bn and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. He also revealed future plans to offer more land to investors and real estate developers in the near term.

Regarding ways to attract local and international investors, Abbas emphasized that the developments taking place in the New Capital are now clear to all, along with the facilities the company provides to investors, such as issuing licenses through a unified authority. This enhances the New Capital’s attractiveness compared to other regions, encouraging investors to choose it as their preferred destination for projects.

As part of ACUD’s commitment to sustainability, he explained that the New Capital was designed to be smart, sustainable, and green, relying on solar energy for 30% of government buildings and 50% on the roofs of residential buildings. Sustainability plans also include water reuse through a wastewater treatment plant under construction, with more than 15 sqm of green space allocated for each citizen.

Abbas pointed out that the New Capital aims to reduce water waste, currently at 27%, to only 7% to 10%, reflecting the project’s commitment to sustainability and environmental efficiency standards.

He added that the New Capital is managed through a unified smart control center, along with another center in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, to ensure the highest levels of safety and rapid response to emergencies, whether they are security-related, health-related, or concerning fire services.

Regarding the development of the transportation system, Abbas revealed a comprehensive plan to integrate modern transportation systems and connect the administrative capital with Greater Cairo. He noted the presence of an advanced transportation network, which includes the capital’s own internal transportation company, as well as the operation of the electric train in cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation.

He also mentioned that the monorail project is nearing completion, representing a significant addition that will strengthen the connection between the capital and Greater Cairo.

Additionally, Abbas stated that the New Capital will benefit from the high-speed train project, scheduled for completion early next year. This project will provide an integrated network connecting major cities such as Helwan, and 6th of October City, in Cairo and Giza, enhancing the efficiency of public transportation and achieving integration between various urban areas.