By: Buthayna El Haggar
Get ready for an inspiring week in Cairo! From November 4-8, 2024, the Egypt International Exhibition Center will host the 12th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) — a global gathering like no other, organized by UN-Habitat.
More than two decades after its debut in Nairobi, Kenya, WUF is returning to Africa, bringing together experts, change-makers, and visionaries.
With a lineup of around 156 speakers and 13 moderators across 37 core events, WUF12 promises a packed agenda: opening and closing sessions, vibrant assemblies, deep-dive dialogues, special sessions, roundtables, and an Urban Expo showcasing the future of sustainable cities. Let’s see what’s in store!
Focus on Local Actions
The event theme, “It All Starts at Home,” highlights the powerful impact of local actions in driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forward.
WUF12 will shine a spotlight on local initiatives tackling some of today’s biggest challenges—unaffordable housing, rising living costs, climate change, access to basic services, and ongoing conflicts.
Key Highlights
WUF12 Urban Expo
The Expo will bring together over 140 organizations, each showcasing cutting-edge, sustainable initiatives across a wide range of sectors. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect:
- The UN-Habitat Arena: It will host official events and pop-up activities, including interactive sessions with UN-Habitat experts.
- The Urban Library: This is a space for exploring the latest research and publications on urban and housing issues.
- The Urban Cinema: It will include short film screenings from around the world that explore urban and housing issues and the cultural dimensions of urbanization.
- The Urban Playground: Attendees can engage in fun and educational activities there.
Training Events
WUF12 will host around 68 training events, offering a prime platform for practitioners, renowned experts, universities, and educational institutions to drive forward sustainable urbanization.
Assemblies
16 assembly sessions will be held at the WUF12. Held prior to the official opening of the World Urban Forum, assemblies bring together key stakeholders from diverse societal sectors. These gatherings play a vital role in uniting different groups and channeling their contributions into urban policy development.
High-Profile Dialogues
Six high-profile dialogues will be held at the WUF12, setting the agenda for policy and action. These sessions provide a platform for global thinkers, practitioners, and decision-makers to share insights and solutions on key global themes, encouraging active discussion with the audience.
Special Sessions
Nine special sessions will take place at WUF12, focusing on global issues and how the new urban agenda can be applied in planning and regulations across different sectors. These sessions encourage reflection and sharing of solutions that can be easily replicated.
Roundtables
13 roundtables will be held at the WUF12. These sessions encourage peer collaboration on key urban issues, enabling participants to identify common ground and strategies for tackling emerging challenges.
They emphasize the importance of inclusion and peer learning in fostering transformation within the World Urban Forum framework.
Curated City Visits and Urban Tours
Some of these visits and tours include:
- Islamic Marvels of Al-Moez Street: Explore historic Islamic architecture.
- Fustat Pottery Village: Discover ancient and modern pottery artistry.
- Citadel Festival: Enjoy a festive night of music at the Citadel.
- New Administrative Capital Tour: Witness Egypt’s modern urban vision.
- Social Housing Initiatives Tour: Visit projects on Cairo’s outskirts.
- Urban Regeneration in Historic Cairo: Learn about urban renewal efforts.
- Coastal Innovation in New Alamein City: Explore sustainable coastal development.
This list merely scratches the surface of the myriad activities at WUF12! If you’re passionate about sustainable urban development and want to know more information about this event, check out their website.
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