UN applauds Egypt for record success of WUF

CAIRO – 8 November 2024: The 12th World Urban Forum (WUF), hosted in Cairo from November 4 to 8, achieved record-breaking levels of attendance and participation, as confirmed by UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat Ana Claudia Rusbach.

She extended her gratitude to Egypt for the forum’s unprecedented success, highlighting Cairo’s contributions to making this year’s forum the most well-attended in its history.

During the closing-day press conference, Rusbach underscored the significance of the turnout, affirming that this year’s forum exceeded all previous benchmarks. Joining her at the conference were prominent Egyptian officials, including Egypt’s Minister of Local Development Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Housing Eng. Sherif El-Sherbini, and Cairo’s Governor Dr. Ibrahim Saber.

Rusbach highlighted the value of collaboration between governments and local communities, particularly in addressing critical housing and climate challenges. She emphasized that adequate housing is a fundamental human right and underlined the importance of collective action in managing climate change’s impacts.

The forum spotlighted housing and urban development challenges, with discussions focusing on sustainable solutions, affordable housing access, and resilience in the face of climate threats. The event underscored the role of cities in advancing human rights and fostering community-driven solutions through international cooperation.