Egypt has done a great job organizing such a large-scale event, Katerina Bezgachina, Chief of Communications at UN-Habitat, told “Ahram Online” on Monday, praising the preparations that contributed to the success of the forum.

Cairo has also provided free transportation services, including 100 eco-friendly buses and a dedicated app, to assist forum participants with schedules and routes across Greater Cairo.

The exceptional level of in-person participation highlights a strong global commitment to addressing urban challenges and shaping sustainable, inclusive cities.

The Forum, which took place over five days, saw attendees from 182 countries marking a significant milestone in global efforts to shape sustainable, inclusive urban spaces.

At the conclusion of the Forum, WUF12 issued the Cairo Call to Action, a document outlining commitments and pathways for advancing sustainable urbanization.

"I commend the conclusion of the Cairo Call to Action which embodies the voices of WUF 12, cutting across all stakeholders,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.

Outcome documents will be created with input from the newly formed WUF Advisory Group, which includes global stakeholders and local leaders.

These documents are designed to enhance WUF's long-term influence on cities around the world.

This year's Forum theme, "It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities," brought together leaders, innovators, and advocates from various sectors, all united in their focus on building resilient, equitable cities capable of meeting future demands.

The Forum fostered dynamic discussions, partnerships, and actionable commitments focused on tackling some of the most urgent challenges facing cities today, including climate change, rapid urbanization, affordable housing, and urban equity.

Key highlights from WUF12 included:

• Finance: Leaders from government, finance, and business focused on the urgent need to fund the SDGs at the local level.

Discussions centered on resource mobilization amid urban growth, climate challenges, and global crises, with an emphasis on strengthening local government capacity, securing predictable funding, and creating financial frameworks that support sustainable, inclusive growth.

• Climate-Resilient Urban Design: Sessions explored ways to adapt urban spaces to climate impacts like rising sea levels and extreme weather.
   
• Affordable Housing for all: With rising living costs affecting urban populations globally, discussions focused on equitable access to affordable housing. Leaders examined innovative financing mechanisms and public-private partnerships to ensure fair, safe, and accessible housing for all.
   
• Smart Cities for Sustainable Growth: Experts discussed how digital innovation can intersect with sustainability goals, presenting new frameworks for smart city initiatives that prioritize inclusivity and environmental health. Case studies from leading cities showcased how data-driven solutions improve urban efficiency and quality of life.
• Children and Youth: The Children and Youth Assembly highlighted the critical role of young people in shaping future cities. Youth leaders discussed climate action, employment, and community engagement, emphasizing their power to drive change and connect generations.

At WUF12, regional representation was led by Africa, with 69 percent of attendees, followed by Asia (13.9 percent), Europe (11 percent), the Americas (5.7 percent), and Oceania (0.3 percent).

The Forum brought together a diverse range of delegates from academia, government, the private sector, international organizations, civil society, and the media, creating a platform for a wide array of voices to be heard.

The event drew several heads of state and prominent international figures, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Jan van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague. 

Among the distinguished attendees were Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi.

Moreover, UN-Habitat reaffirmed its commitment to turning ideas into actionable solutions that will continue beyond WUF12.

"We are taking recommendations from WUF12 and the Cairo Call to Action [...] to COP29 in Baku to align subnational and national efforts to meet the Paris Agreement goals and achieve the SDGs and implement the New Urban Agenda,” said Rossbach.

Meanwhile, Egypt launched on Thursday the first phase of the Atlas of Sustainable Egyptian Cities, a climate-focused initiative aimed at boosting the resilience of cities against climate change, promoting sustainable urban planning, and ensuring a greener future.

Furthermore, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi launched the "National Smart Cities" and "National Green Urbanism" strategies during the opening ceremony of WUF12 on Monday.

These initiatives aim to reinforce ongoing national efforts in urbanization.