The vibrant city of Cairo is set to host the Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) from November 4 to 8, 2024. This landmark event, organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), marks the forum’s return to the African continent over two decades after its inaugural session in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2002.
The World Urban Forum is recognized as a pivotal international conference dedicated to urban issues. Held biennially, it is the second most significant event on the United Nations agenda, following the Climate Summit. WUF12 will bring together world leaders, policymakers, urban planners, and civil society organizations to address the pressing challenges of rapid urbanization and its profound impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change, and policy-making.
Since its establishment in 2001 by the United Nations, the World Urban Forum has served as a high-level, open, and inclusive platform to confront the challenges of sustainable urbanization head-on. The forum aims to raise awareness of sustainable urbanization among stakeholders, policymakers, and the general public. It seeks to enhance collective knowledge on sustainable urban development through open debates, the exchange of best practices, policies, and lessons learned.
WUF12 is expected to feature a diverse array of sessions, workshops, and exhibitions, where participants will engage in meaningful discussions about innovative solutions to urban challenges. The forum will also provide a platform for promoting collaboration and cooperation among various stakeholders committed to advancing and implementing sustainable urbanization.
The decision to host WUF12 in Cairo is significant, as Africa is experiencing some of the fastest rates of urbanization in the world. The continent faces unique challenges and opportunities in managing this growth, and the forum will offer a crucial opportunity for African perspectives and solutions to be highlighted on the global stage.
In the lead-up to the forum, UN-Habitat is working closely with Egyptian authorities and international partners to ensure a successful and impactful event. The choice of Cairo as the host city underscores the importance of addressing urbanization challenges in regions that are at the forefront of this global phenomenon.
As the world gathers in Cairo next year, WUF12 promises to be a transformative event that will shape the future of cities worldwide and drive the global agenda towards more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban environments.
