Ahead of the closing ceremony, UN-Habitat Executive Director Ana Claudia Rosbach emphasized the forum’s timely focus on regional action.
“More than half of the world’s population now lives in urban areas,” she said, underscoring the vital role of local governments in shaping cities and human settlements.
WUF12 “was a turning point in the World Urban Forum’s journey,” she declared.
record breaking forum
Organized biennially by UN-Habitat, WUF12 examined urbanization over the past five days through six major dialogues, roundtables, gatherings and partner-led events.
“We broke many records and reached new heights at this World Forum,” Rosbach said, pointing to impressive metrics such as the participation of more than 24,000 participants from 182 countries. I mentioned it.
UN-Habitat Director Rosbach speaks at the conclusion of WUF12.
In addition, 4 heads of state, 60 ministers, 45 deputy ministers and 96 mayors participated in more than 700 events organized by 1,500 organizers.
In total, more than 63,000 people participated in conversations, sessions and discussions, both in person and online.
Important issues to address
She said the discussions at WUF12 highlighted key issues that are at the core of promoting sustainable cities. These include the urgency to address the global housing crisis, recognizing that adequate housing is a human right and its links to climate and humanitarian crises.
At the same time, financing for urban sustainability must be prioritized by leveraging untapped financial resources in cities where needed.
Capturing, sharing, and learning from best practices to accelerate effective, large-scale action, as well as leveraging the potential for collaboration and partnership in the face of complex and unprecedented challenges. Equally important, she said.
Egyptian Minister of Regional Development Manal Awad issues a call to action in Cairo.
Cairo’s call to action
On the final day, delegates adopted the Cairo Call to Action, pledging to act urgently to address the global housing crisis and to leverage local action to achieve global goals and objectives. did.
Cairo’s call to action also emphasizes the need to maintain institutional representation of local actors at all levels, inclusive sharing of urban spaces and opportunities, urban planning for better regional outcomes, and unlocking finance for cities and communities. did.
Delegates also focused on ensuring equity and justice for sustainable cities, leveraging local and grassroots data for decision-making, leveraging culture and heritage as assets for sustainability, and empowering local communities. We also worked to build coalitions and alliances to expand our impact.
guarantee a decent life
Egypt’s Housing Minister Sherif El Sherbiny, speaking at the closing ceremony, emphasized the importance of this theme, saying, “Everything starts locally, where we live.”
He pledged that the Egyptian government would continue to strive to provide a “decent life” and sustainable development for all its citizens.
“We can do it. We can build a better future for ourselves and the next generation,” he added.
Sherif El Sherbiny, Egyptian Minister of Housing;
hard work continues
Several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations, such as the Van Leer Foundation, which supports young children, caregivers, and communities around the world, are focused on safety and inclusion.
Rashda Majeed, Chief Program Officer, emphasized the Foundation’s mission to foster an inclusive community and noted that WUF12 was a valuable showcase for the work of previous forums.
She highlighted a number of conversations and presentations that built on previous accomplishments.
“We feel this is extremely valuable in terms of not just meeting people and advocating for a particular cause, but actually learning what has been done.”
The closing day focused on creating safer spaces for future generations.
One of the roundtables featured Professor Anna Barker from the University of Leeds, UK, who shared her research on the safety of women and girls in public parks.
“We spoke to a range of women and girls and used their feedback to create new guidelines,” she said.
This guidance is being implemented in 17 countries through the Green Flag Award program.
Anna Barker is Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Leeds.
Looking to the future
Over the coming weeks and months, UN-Habitat will highlight WUF12’s achievements at major events, including COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Ms Rosbach said the outcome would inform discussions within UN-Habitat and the first open-ended intergovernmental working group on adequate housing for all.
“We are excited about the trip to Baku,” he added, referring to WUF13 in 2026 as the forum continues to address urbanization challenges.
