Abdul Khaliq Ibrahim, Assistant Minister of Housing for Technical Affairs, has chaired a coordination meeting for the main organizing committee of the 12th edition of the World Urban Forum, WUF12, scheduled in Cairo in November 2024, Invest-Gate reports.

The meeting was attended by several committee members, with some participating via video conference from the United Nations headquarters in Nairobi.

The main organizing committee includes representatives from the Ministries of Housing, Local Development, Foreign Affairs, and the United Nations Human Settlements Program (Habitat), with invitations extended to the Ministry of Planning and international experts in the field of urban development.

Ibrahim highlighted the meeting’s significance in preparing for the 12th edition of the World Urban Forum, underscoring its status as one of the largest international events on the United Nations agenda, following the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference.

Moreover, several key points were discussed during the meeting, primarily focusing on the conference agenda and logistical arrangements concerning the conference venue, accommodation, and transportation within Cairo.

The Assistant Minister of Housing emphasized Egypt’s commitment to sustainable urban development, aligning with the United Nations’ goals and the national housing strategy launched by Egypt, which aims to enhance the standard of living for Egyptian citizens and achieve sustainable development objectives.

Furthermore, Ibrahim emphasized that WUF12 presents an excellent opportunity to showcase Egypt’s modern urban efforts, particularly in establishing the fourth generation of smart cities, including the New Administrative Capital, New Alamein, and New Mansoura. The forum also serves to exchange experiences among participating and member countries.

Notably, several recommendations, coordinating measures, and initial steps were agreed upon at the meeting’s conclusion, paving the way for their phased implementation.