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Practical Info

General Information

The twelfth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) will be held from 4 to 8 November 2024 in Cairo, Egypt, and is co-organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Government of Egypt. Held every two years and convened by UN-Habitat, the World Urban Forum is the premier global conference on urbanization. It brings together a wide range of participants from around the world to discuss major urban challenges facing the world today.

Since its first convening in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2002, the World Urban Forum has expanded both in size and remit. WUF has become the premier global conference on sustainable urban development and an appreciated platform for sharing best practices and innovation. You can check previous WUF locations and information here.

WUF12 venue

WUF12 will be held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center located at El-Moshir Tantawy Axis, Al Hay Al Asher, Nasr City, Cairo Governorate 4440301, Egypt. More information on the location can be found here.

Online Registration

First sign up with creating your profile on the UN-Habitat Global Events Management System (GEMS) and submit your WUF12 online registration. The registration opened on 1 February 2024 and will close on 30 October 2024 at 06:00 p.m. (UTC+02:00).

You can download your automated registration email from your GEMS personal dashboard and edit your registration details until online registration closes.

Do I have to individually register for the forum?

Yes. Application documents are available in English only and can be completed and submitted electronically.

Can I register a minor for the forum?

Yes. Children under 18 years of age are welcome to attend WUF12. Please visit the Guidelines for access to and participation of minors during WUF12 for more information.

Is registration free?

Yes.

In-person attendance

Early registration is advisable. An automatically generated confirmation email, including a QR Code and unique registration number, will be your ticket to access your photo badge on arrival at the WUF12 venue for the in-person event. You must bring your valid national identification document you have used at the point of online registration with you to receive your photo badge for WUF12.

How do I choose the appropriate registration form and partner types?

The World Urban Forum has one registration form which should be submitted. You can choose your partner type during the registration process.

How can l be accredited as media?

All media representatives must apply through the general registration portal and identify as members of the media. To support your media accreditation – and allow you permission to bring recording and broadcast equipment to the WUF12 venue – you must provide both national identification and identification as a media representative, with a valid national or international press association card or press pass you have used at the point of online registration. Media representatives will have access to the press room for filming and to sites on the grounds for stand-ups. A media toolkit will be provided to accredited members of the press.

Can l attend WUF12 virtually?

We will inform you in due course on the procedure to be accredited for virtual attendance.

Language(s) and Accessibility
What is the official working language of WUF12?

The working language of the World Urban Forum is English. Opening and closing sessions, dialogues, special sessions, roundtables and press conferences will feature interpretation in the six UN official languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese).

Sign Language

More information will be available soon on this website.

Accessibility and wheelchair access

More information will be available soon on this website.

Programme
How can I find out about the WUF12 programme and when an event is scheduled?

Information about different events at WUF12 will be available in the WUF12 programme on this website in the second quarter of 2024.

Urban Expo
What is the Urban Expo?

An international Urban Expo will run throughout WUF12 to showcase urban development projects, best practices, and innovative solutions to tackle the challenges of housing, transport, energy, and climate change, among others. The Expo will also feature large pavilions capable of hosting unofficial events. 15,000 participants are expected to pass through the doors of the Urban Expo as a popular destination during each WUF. WUF12 registration is compulsory to visit the Urban Expo.

Who can exhibit?

Member States, local and regional authorities, civil society, academia, the United Nations, the private sector, and other intergovernmental organizations can host exhibitions at the Urban Expo. Exhibitors can reserve stands on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications that meet the selection criteria will be approved. More information is available in the exhibition guide, including details on pricing for exhibition spaces which will be available once the exhibition space booking form is open.

What are the deadlines for exhibition space bookings?

The exhibition space booking form is anticipated to open in the first quarter of 2024. Please visit this website regularly for updates.

How can I apply for exhibition space?

You can submit an exhibition space application by selecting "Applications" from the menu in the GEMS personal dashboard. Your exhibition space application will be reviewed and if accepted confirmed upon payment.

What is the cost of exhibiting at the Urban Expo?

Please consult the exhibition guide for details on pricing for exhibition spaces once posted on this website.

If l register as an exhibitor, do l need to register as a participant?

If you are registered as an exhibitor, you can participate in all sessions and events of WUF12. To be registered as an exhibitor means that you are registered for WUF12.

Do exhibitors need to be present at the booth for the entire forum?

Yes, we kindly ask exhibitors to ensure that one staff is present at their stand at all times throughout the entire forum.

Will I be allowed to sell merchandise at my exhibition stand?

The sale of merchandise at the Urban Expo is strictly forbidden, exhibitors are allowed to distribute promotional material free of charge.

Will I be allowed to sell or distribute alcohol at my exhibition stand?

Distribution and consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden at the Urban Expo.

Will l have access to meetings if l am registered as an exhibitor?

All registered exhibitors may access the meetings which are open to all participants at WUF12.

I only want to visit the Urban Expo, do l have to register?

Yes, if you wish to visit the Urban Expo only you still need to register and get a WUF12 badge.

Event Participation

The World Urban Forum brings together sustainable urbanization champions from around the world. Whether they’re representatives of government or non-government and community organizations; private sector entrepreneurs, students, academics or foundation representatives, WUF’s participants constitute a broad array of constituents eager to explore the urban transformation agenda as it relates to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. Participants can be younger than 18 years of age and are welcome to attend, but must be accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian.

Is registration and participation at WUF12 free of charge?

Yes. The registration link is found on the WUF12 webpage. Every participant must register in order to attend WUF12. No one will be granted admission to WUF12 and the WUF12 venue without having registered and obtained the WUF12 photo badge.

What type of events can one find at WUF?

Events at WUF12 include assemblies, dialogues, roundtables, networking, training, urban cinema and urban library events. Most of the events on the WUF12 programme are open to everyone. Selected events are by invitation only.

Will I need an invitation letter to participate in a WUF12 event?

No. You can register online on the WUF12 website and get your accreditation badge once you arrive at the venue in person with a copy of your registration confirmation letter and personal identification used during registration to participate in an event at WUF12.

Can I be denied access to the WUF12 venue?

Yes. In the interest of security and safety of all participants and the smooth running of the sessions, UN-Habitat reserves the right to deny and/or restrict access to the WUF12 venue, or to request participants to leave the premises, in line of the Code of Conduct to Prevent Harassment, including Sexual Harassment at UN System events. UN-Habitat will not be responsible for any expenses incurred by participants who are requested to leave the premises or refused registration/accreditation or access to the forum sessions for which they have been nominated and/or registered as participants, panelists or speakers.

Partner-led event applications

Stakeholders are welcome to apply for the following 7 partner-led event categories:

  • Networking events
  • Voices from Cities
  • SDGs in Action
  • Urban Library
  • ONE UN
  • Training events
  • Urban Cinema

Interested partners need to first sign up to UN-Habitat's new Global Event Management System (GEMS) here, afterwards proceed to register to WUF12 to be able to apply for different partner-led events from the profile dashboard. The deadline to apply is 8 April 2024 (and 30 May for the Urban Cinema).

Click here for additional information on the partner-led event categories.

Further info for the Urban Expo and the Urban Cinema will be made available soon.

On-site accreditation
When will the onsite accreditation start to obtain the WUF12 photo badge?

The photo badge is required to get access to the WUF12 venue. To avoid delays and long queues, participants are advised to arrive early and pick up their registration badges as early as possible. We will inform in due course on the on-site accreditation timing.

What will I need to present to get accredited?

For in-person accreditation at the venue, you need to bring a copy of the email registration confirmation, which includes your unique registration number and QR code, and proof of identification used for your online registration. The WUF12 venue will be well-marked with directions, information, and a map of the facilities. Volunteers and staff will be on hand to answer any questions.

Visa and invitation letters
Will UN-Habitat issue invitation letters?

UN-Habitat will not issue invitation letters to WUF12 participants. WUF12 participants must contact their nearest embassy or consulate of the Arab Republic of Egypt for information about obtaining a visa, if required.

Do I need a visa, where and how do I apply?

Please contact the nearest Egyptian embassy or consulate. While UN-Habitat will not issue invitation letters to WUF12 participants, it is recommended to attach the "WUF12 Registration confirmation" email when applying for your visa. Please note that the WUF12 registration document will NOT guarantee that a visa will be issued. You will be required to comply with all the necessary requirements of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt that are part of normal visa application procedures.

More information will be available soon on this website.

Financing / Sponsorship
Can l get sponsorship to participate in the forum?

No. Sponsorships will not be made available to participants by UN-Habitat. You are responsible for making your own arrangements for travel, accommodation, health, and travel insurance and to cover your own expenses in Egypt.

Can l get refunded for my travel costs by UN-Habitat?

No. Participants are expected to cover their own travel costs.

Will I be provided accommodation by UN-Habitat?

No. Participants are expected to cover their own accommodation costs and expenses.

Will l be refunded for the visa application?

No. Participants are expected to meet all costs related to their participation in WUF12.

Accommodation
Where can I find accommodation in Cairo?

We will soon provide more information with a dedicated online booking site for selected hotels with negotiated rates.

Participants are free to book accommodation via another booking tool.

Transport
More information will be available soon on this website.
Internet Connection
Will there be WIFI?

The Egypt International Exhibition Centre offers free WIFI services throughout the venue.

Will there be a WUF12 APP?

Yes. More information will be available soon on this website.

Will there be live webcast?

Yes. UN Web TV will live webcast the WUF12 main events. More information will be available soon on this website.

Other useful information
Will there be prayer rooms inside the venue?

Yes. Prayer rooms will be available inside the WUF12 venue. Directions can be obtained from the information desk or be found on the wayfinding signage and map displayed within the venue.

Where can I find the information desk?

Various information desks are found within the venue and at the airport.

Where can I find staff or focal points who are coordinating events?

Please ask at the Information desk for guidance.

May I present a paper at the Forum?

No, there are no calls for presentation of papers, academic study, articles, etc. at the World Urban Forum.

May I volunteer at WUF12?

More information will be available soon on this website.

May I sell my book or a product at WUF12?

No. The World Urban Forum does not facilitate the sale of private products, publications, etc. The same applies for the Urban Expo.

Which currency is used?

The official currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound. The exchange rate may vary daily.

Which voltage and electrical outlet is used?

Egypt operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz, with two plug types: plug type C and plug type F. Plug type C has two round pins, while plug type F has two round pins and two earth clips on the side.

Where can I purchase a mobile sim card and airtime?

Participants can subscribe to a service pack with mobile telephone operators. A valid passport is required as the prior document for subscription. The costs of this operation vary depending on the operator and desired pack. You can purchase a mobile sim card upon arrival at the international airport.

Which are the mobile operators?

Currently, there are four companies which offer cellular communication service: Orange, Vodafone, Etisalat, and We (by Telecom Egypt). These companies also provide services surpassing voice communication, such as 4G, 3G, and mobile data for internet surfing.

Will there be medical support at the WUF12 venue?

First aid and emergency medical services will be available inside the WUF12 venue.
Participants are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive international medical and travel insurance for the duration of their stay. UN-Habitat or the host country will not be responsible for medical, accident and travel emergencies, for compensation for death or disability, for loss of or damage to personal property and for any other costs or losses that may be incurred during travel or the period of participation at the conference including pre-sessional meetings.

Contact
How can I contact UN-Habitat in case of other general questions?

Please write to unhabitat-wuf@un.org

How can I contact UN-Habitat in case of questions regarding registration, events and on-site accreditation?

Please write to unhabitat-events@un.org