The 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12), organized by UN-Habitat in Cairo from November 4-8, brought together a record-breaking 24,000 participants from 182 countries, making it one of the United Nations’ largest gatherings, second only to climate COPs. With the theme \u201cIt All Starts at Home,\u201d the event highlighted the need for cities to prioritize sustainable and affordable housing, urban resilience, and to fund localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event also offered an opportunity to underscore cities’ roles as essential drivers of change and called for increased cooperation between local governments and international bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In one of the participating mayor\u2019s address a key message was conveyed to all participating stakeholders: \u201cThe most important is that you trust cities, partner with cities, and invest in cities.\u201d This call resonated throughout discussions and workshops, as leaders explored inclusive multilateralism and the imperative to build resilient urban environments equipped to handle demographic, ecological, and technological transitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prioritizing Key Urban Challenges and Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The forum centered on three critical urban challenges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social justice, governance, and multilateral cooperation were prominent throughout the forum, with UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach calling for balanced investment in sustainable infrastructure and policies that respect human rights and advance social justice. Throughout the Urban Expo, attendees engaged with innovative solutions addressing urban challenges and shared critical feedback on urbanization needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Showcasing Innovation and Global Partnerships<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Global Cities Hub (GCH) advanced the discourse on city diplomacy and local and regional governments\u2019 (LRGs) cooperation with international organizations through several high-profile engagements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n