Minister of Local Development Manal Awad and Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad unveiled the project during a joint press conference on the sidelines of the 12th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12), currently held in Cairo from 4 to 8 November.

Stephen Gambier, the World Bank representative to Egypt and regional director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti, also attended the press conference.

According to the UN, the atlas showcases Egypt's commitment to sustainable urban development and climate resilience.

This initiative builds on the Sustainable Egyptian Cities Initiative, which emphasizes collaborative governance.

The UN website said key stakeholders, including government officials and international partners, will engage in dialogue to share best practices, strengthen partnerships, and promote evidence-based policies for enhanced resilience in Egyptian cities.

The initiative, first announced during the 2022 COP27 climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, aligns with Egypt's Vision 2030 and National Climate Strategy 2050.

Minister Awad said the initiative will comprehensively assess sustainability in key urban sectors, including the environment, quality of life, productivity, competitiveness, and financial sustainability.

“Everything starts locally,” she added, stressing Egypt's commitment to sustainable urban planning principles.

The minister noted that achieving sustainable urban transformation necessitates deep cooperation with international development partners.

“Let this launch be a reminder that the path of sustainable development is not a solitary endeavour,” she said.

“Urban sustainability is possible through empowering localities, strong governance, and international solidarity,” Awad stated, praising the World Bank and UN agencies for their support in bridging policy and financing gaps and ensuring effective, equitable work.

Minister Fouad highlighted the significant impact of climate change on natural resource management, including land, water, energy, and agriculture, asserting the necessity of stopping encroachments on lands.

She emphasized the need to address climate change through rapid decision-making supported by robust scientific tools, closely linked to economic and social development.

Fouad cited Kafr El-Sheikh governorate as an example of the climate impacts. She said the Nile Delta governorate requires both mitigation and adaptation measures as it faces challenges such as emissions from agriculture, solid waste, and traditional energy usage, as well as risks from rising sea levels.

She explained that the atlas is a powerful tool that can help inform decision-makers, particularly in assessing the impact of population growth on specific areas.

Moreover, the environment minister highlighted the ministry's efforts to promote sustainable cities through various initiatives and projects.

These include sustainable agricultural systems, renewable energy sources, energy-efficient technologies, sustainable transportation, urban planning, green investment opportunities, green spaces, industrial energy efficiency, sustainable sanitation, and water conservation.

In May 2022, Egypt launched its 2050 National Strategy for Climate Change, outlining a vision to reduce emissions across various sectors while maintaining sustainable economic growth.

The strategy prioritizes renewable energy sources, waste-to-energy technologies, and alternative energy forms like green hydrogen.

Egypt has already initiated several projects to increase its reliance on renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The country is also investing in upgrading its transportation infrastructure, including developing electric rail networks, to further minimize its carbon footprint.

To address the impacts of climate change on agriculture and safeguard agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and food security, Egypt is encouraging farmers to adopt new genotypes and technologies that can enhance resilience to extreme weather events in the Nile Delta.