Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic

11/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/06/2024 18:04

12th World Urban Forum for sustainable cities (4-8.11.24)

A global conference on urban planning

The World Urban Forum (WUF) is the major high-level international conference on urban issues, with more than 12,000 people expected in Cairo for WUF12.

As a non-normative forum, WUF brings together all stakeholders (national and local governments, civil society, the private sector and academia) and aims to foster fulfilment of international commitments fostering fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 on sustainable cities.

France, a major player in sustainable cities

In line with its international leadership on sustainable cities, France is sending a delegation of 120 people, including six members of parliament and 5 local elected officials. It is being chaired by Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, Minister of State for Francophonie and International Partnerships. Around 10 French businesses will also be present.

France is a major international player in sustainable cities. Since 2019, it has dedicated €3.1 billion in official development assistance (ODA) to the issue, and has forged a close partnership with UN-Habitat.

The Minister of State will speak during several sessions on the official programme about the two priorities France has advocated within UN-Habitat since the body's Assembly in June 2023: smart cities and housing. He will also attend the inauguration of the French Pavilion.

WUF12 will also be an opportunity to deliver on France's bilateral commitment alongside Egypt as regards sustainable cities, with the signing of several financing agreements for Agence Française de Développement (AFD, French Development Agency) projects.