Cairo, 5 November 2024
Cairo hosted the World Urban Forum (WUF12) Ministerial Roundtable, where over 70 national and local leaders gathered to discuss strengthening the role of governments in sustainable urban development and climate action. The session emphasized accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda by empowering local action through multilevel governance. UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach urged governments to align national strategies with local needs, calling for heightened urban ambitions in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of COP30 to address pressing issues like housing crises, energy poverty, and urban financing.
Discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration between national, regional, and local governments to ensure SDG implementation reflects local realities. Platforms such as ASEAN, BRICS, and national urban forums were recognized as critical for fostering shared development agendas. Egypt’s Minister of Local Development, Manal Awad, stressed integrating central and local governance to empower local authorities in leading sustainable development efforts.
Key strategies for localizing sustainable urban development included crafting policies to address challenges like land use and affordable housing, mobilizing financial resources through public-private partnerships and green bonds, and enhancing digital transparency to engage communities in SDG progress. Housing and climate action were prioritized, with participants emphasizing the need for inclusive housing policies and climate resilience integration into urban policies. Partnerships with the private sector, civil society, and academia were also highlighted as vital for mobilizing resources and expertise.
The roundtable concluded with a strong commitment to building local capacity. National governments pledged to provide resources and skills for local stakeholders to implement effective projects, recognizing that local empowerment is essential for achieving the SDGs and fostering inclusive urban growth. Reflecting on the discussions, Rossbach noted that the insights would inform the Cairo Call to Action, COP29, and the UN-Habitat Assembly in 2025, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and multilevel governance in addressing urban challenges.
