WUF12 highlights Egypt's national initiative for smart green projects

CAIRO – 7 November 2024: The 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12), held in Cairo, featured an important session on Egypt's National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, showcasing it as a model for localized climate action and sustainable urban development with solutions tailored to the Egyptian environment.

The session was moderated by Ambassador Hisham Badr, the National Coordinator for Egypt’s National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, and included prominent figures like Minister of Planning and Economic Development Rania Al-Mashat, UN-Habitat Deputy Executive Director Michal Mlynar, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt Elena Panova, and UNDP Egypt Representative Alessandro Fracassetti.

According to the United Nations Information Center, Egypt’s green project initiative is a global model of climate action through local partnerships. The initiative involves collaboration among the government, private sector, NGOs, and local communities, fostering innovative projects across Egypt’s 27 governorates. These projects address key areas such as renewable energy, waste management, and low-carbon transportation, creating scalable solutions that cities worldwide can adopt.

The initiative is particularly noted for its focus on youth, with young leaders spearheading many of the projects aimed at tackling environmental challenges. Highlighting the importance of scaling up successful projects like Egypt's Smart Green Projects Initiative, Minister Rania Al-Mashat emphasized cross-sector cooperation to ensure sustainable solutions can be expanded and aligned with global climate goals.

UN-Habitat Deputy Executive Director Michal Mlynar praised the initiative, stating it reflects Egypt's commitment to localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advancing climate action. He stressed that local solutions, as exemplified by Egypt’s initiative, are essential in tackling urban sustainability challenges worldwide.

Elena Panova, the UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, remarked that the forum provides an important platform to showcase Egypt’s model, which other countries could adopt. Panova highlighted the diverse support the United Nations has provided the initiative over its three stages, pointing out that the projects’ achievements reflect the extensive knowledge, innovation, and passion within Egypt to address climate challenges. She emphasized the need for continued resources and support for young innovators to expand these impactful solutions.

Alessandro Fracassetti, the UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt, described the initiative as a wide-reaching effort, remarking, “Through our partnership with Egypt’s Green Projects Initiative, we are not only promoting local climate action but also setting a global model.”

Ambassador Hisham Badr noted, “By showcasing the accomplishments of the initiative’s winners, we aim to inspire other regions to adopt similar models that empower local communities, support innovation, and enable active global climate action.”

The National Initiative for Smart Green Projects embodies Egypt's leadership in climate action and sustainable urbanization. It promotes collaborative, local, and innovative solutions in areas like sustainable urban design, low-carbon transportation, and energy-efficient buildings. With a strong focus on empowering women and youth, the initiative leverages their pivotal roles in advancing climate resilience.

The 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12), organized by UN-Habitat in partnership with the Egyptian government, emphasizes transformative solutions for sustainable urban development. The forum’s return to Africa highlights Cairo’s dual challenge of urbanization and climate change, placing it at the forefront of the global discussion on sustainable urban transformation.