Cairo, 4 November 2024
Cairo welcomed a record-breaking crowd as the twelfth World Urban Forum (WUF12) opened with over 37,000 participants from 182 countries. The bustling energy was palpable as the Forum, themed “It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities” invited leaders, activists, and innovators to explore ways to localize the Sustainable Development Goals.
In an inspiring opening ceremony, UN-Habitat Executive Director Anáclaudia Rossbach and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi urged attendees to find solutions that could be implemented back home. Five Assemblies spotlighted voices from diverse groups, like grassroots women, who shared insights on resilience, and business leaders, who highlighted private sector support for urban transformation.
Throughout the day, the heart-shaped UN-Habitat Arena at the Urban Expo buzzed with curiosity as visitors explored cutting-edge exhibits on housing, energy, and public spaces. This year’s historic event, marked by gender parity among speakers and attendees from every continent, set the stage for a transformative week. Tomorrow, the action would continue with dialogues on housing, climate resilience, and a hopeful future for cities worldwide.
