The National Alliance for Civil and Developmental Work, in Collaboration with the National Training Academy and the World Youth Forum Organizing Committee, to Oversee Volunteer Coordination at the 12th World Urban Forum in Egypt

The organizing committee for the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12), scheduled to take place in Egypt, has announced that the National Alliance for Civil and Developmental Work will lead the coordination and selection of volunteers for the event. The National Training Academy, a member of the Alliance, will be responsible for training and preparing volunteers. Meanwhile, the World Youth Forum organizing committee will spearhead the planning and coordination of activities, continuing their role in managing Egypt’s major international events.

Egypt is set to welcome delegations from numerous countries, high-ranking officials, and distinguished personalities to WUF12, organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) in collaboration with Egypt's Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities and Ministry of Local Development. The event will be held from November 4 to 8, 2024, and is recognized as one of the most significant global gatherings on the United Nations agenda, serving as the premier platform for addressing urbanization and inclusive, sustainable urban development.

Hosting this prestigious forum in Egypt—the first African nation to do so in over 20 years—highlights the country's leading role both regionally and globally as a hub for development and urbanization. It also underscores Egypt’s progress in advancing urban development, as seen in major national projects like Fourth Generation Cities and initiatives such as the Decent Life Initiative and slum eradication programs. Egypt’s strides in infrastructure, including water, sanitation, and electricity, have significantly improved living standards and boosted the country’s standing in global development indicators.

The 12th World Urban Forum will convene thousands of participants over five days, including representatives from governments, businesses, community leaders, urban planners, and civil society organizations. The event will feature over 500 activities, including an extensive urban exhibition and Cairo Urban Week, linking the forum to local communities.

All major sessions will be broadcast live in the six official UN languages, as well as Arabic and International Sign Language. A special session by the Egyptian government will showcase Egypt’s leadership in comprehensive development, emphasizing environmental, infrastructural, and social frameworks that prioritize quality of life for all citizens. This session will also highlight Egypt’s achievements in promoting green transformation, driving sustainable recovery, and implementing its National Climate Change Strategy.

The 12th World Urban Forum will focus on building strong alliances to implement the New Urban Agenda, achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and address global challenges like the housing crisis, climate change, and sustainable urban development. The forum will explore strategies for partnerships that connect global goals with local realities and emphasize collaboration to drive progress across diverse stakeholders.

The forum will ensure gender parity, geographic representation, intergenerational involvement, and diversity in all sessions. Beyond discussions, the event aims to inspire the adoption of innovative solutions and best practices, urging participants to lead local transformation. To date, over 6,500 participants from 160 countries have registered to attend.

The World Urban Forum, established in 2001 by the United Nations, is the leading global conference on sustainable urbanization, created to examine the impact of rapid urbanization on cities, communities, economies, and climate change. Since its inception, cities worldwide have hosted the forum, with the first session held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2002.