Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly attended the “World Cities Day” celebration at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina today, Invest-Gate reports.

The celebration was held in Alexandria in preparation for the 12th World Urban Forum, which Egypt will host in Cairo from November 4 to 8, 2024.

The event is organized under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in collaboration with UN-Habitat and Egypt’s Ministries of Housing and Local Development.

On arrival, Madbouly was welcomed by Minister of Local Development Manal Awad and Alexandria Governor Ahmed Khaled, among other dignitaries. The event attracted prominent attendees, including Ana Kolodya, Assistant Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of UN-Habitat, ministers from Egypt and abroad, diplomats, international financial institutions, and representatives from the private sector and civil society.

Moreover, during his opening remarks, Madbouly emphasized Alexandria’s strategic role as a resilient coastal city. “Alexandria stands as an inspiring model for adaptation and innovation in addressing environmental challenges,” he said, noting that it is a significant cultural hub in the region.

Furthermore, Madbouly financing is the primary challenge for sustainable development, pointing to Egypt’s launch of a national integrated financing strategy that aligns fiscal policies with urban development goals. He noted Alexandria’s success in attracting private investments for climate-resilient projects, showcasing public-private partnerships as models for other cities.

Reflecting on Egypt’s ongoing commitment to sustainability since COP27, Madbouly reiterated the country’s efforts to champion urban resilience across Africa, converting challenges into economic opportunities that foster job creation and local economic growth. He added that Egypt advocates for decentralized governance to empower local communities and supports youth involvement in sustainable development.

Notably, Minister Manal Awad affirmed that Alexandria’s hosting of World Cities Day underscores its historic role as a model of resilience and sustainability, highlighting the participation of over 1,500 stakeholders to emphasize youth contributions to urban innovation and climate adaptation for coastal cities.