The World Urban Forum returns to Africa: Join us in Cairo for WUF12!
The World Urban Forum (WUF12), the world’s premier conference on sustainable urbanization, returns to Africa after more than 20 years. From 4 to 8 November 2024, Cairo will host thousands of participants from around the globe, including government officials, urban planners, community leaders, business representatives, and civil society organizations. This year, this large gathering – one of the largest United Nations non-legislative events – is organized by UN-Habitat in collaboration with the Government of Egypt and focuses on local actions for sustainable cities and communities.
A historic return to Africa
As the fastest urbanizing region globally, Africa is at the forefront of dynamic urban transformations. WUF12 comes at a time when the continent’s cities, such as Luanda, Dar es Salaam, Cairo, Kinshasa, Lagos, and Greater Johannesburg are projected to become some of the world’s largest metropolitan hubs by 2035. With rapid urbanization presenting both opportunities and challenges, WUF12 will bring together voices from across Africa and beyond to shape the future of sustainable urban development.
![Joint opening assemblies at the WUF11 in Katowice, Poland. 26 June 2022 [UN-Habitat/ Tomasz Filipowicz]](/sites/default/files/2024-09/52233895300_7dd333ece8_o.jpg)
Join the global dialogue and drive change
WUF12 is set to be a platform for transformative change. This year’s theme, “It all starts at home: Local actions for sustainable cities and communities,” encourages participants to think beyond physical structures and explore the cultural, social, economic, and environmental dimensions of urban life. The event will feature over 500 sessions, a vibrant Urban Expo, and Cairo Urban Week, connecting WUF12 to the city's communities. With over 6,500 participants from 160 countries already registered, WUF12 promises to be a space for dynamic exchanges, learning, and collaboration.What’s on the agenda?
Key topics to be discussed at WUF12 include:
- Adequate housing for all and the transformation of informal settlements
- Cities and the climate crisis
- Partnerships and coalitions to bridge global goals to local realities
- Unlocking local financing for sustainable development
- Harnessing technology to enhance quality of life without leaving no one behind
- Building safe homes in the face of destruction and displacement.
“At the Forum, we will address crucial challenges, such as housing, land use, urban planning, governance and participation. We will listen to diverse stakeholders and tackle key issues: how to ensure affordable housing for all, transform informal settlements, recover and rebuild, and enhance climate resilience,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat. “We need to build strong coalitions for better solutions to challenges posed by the global housing crisis,” she added.
Sessions will be livestreamed in all six UN languages, as well as in International and Arabic Sign Languages, making the event accessible to as many as possible.
Your invitation to participate
We invite you to join us in Cairo to share your ideas, learn from global best practices, and lead change in your communities. Together, we can build stronger coalitions for better solutions to the global challenges we face.
Register now to be part of WUF12.
About the World Urban Forum
Since its inception in 2001, the World Urban Forum has been the leading global platform for dialogue on sustainable urbanization. Held every two years, it brings together participants from around the world to share ideas and best practices for cities and communities.