Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development, emphasized that hosting the World Urban Forum in Cairo underscores the Egyptian state’s commitment to bolster sustainable development initiatives and achieve the ambitious United Nations’ goals. It presents a unique opportunity to drive positive change benefiting both urban and rural populations, Invest-Gate reports.

She highlighted the Egyptian government’s belief in the significance of empowering local authorities and granting them a more prominent role in spearheading sustainable development at both local and national levels. Acknowledging that engaging various stakeholders in the development process—including civil society, the private sector, youth, and women—is fundamental to achieving comprehensive and equitable progress.

Awad elaborated on the Ministry’s pivotal role in steering reform and development efforts at the local level through empowering local administrations and advancing decentralization. This involves activating local administrations across sectors like education, healthcare, economy, and infrastructure to enhance opportunities for genuine well-being for all citizens.

These insights were shared in the Minister of Local Development’s keynote address delivered during the joint opening of the assemblies in the presence of Anacláudia Rossbach, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

This event forms part of the activities of the first day of the World Urban Forum at Al Manara International Conference Centre, featuring five dialogue assemblies. The event includes the participation of ministers, senior Egyptian officials, international figures, UN representatives, experts, stakeholders from various sectors, and heads of countries.