The National Committee for Developing and Preserving Historic Cairo called on the government on Thursday to vacate all heritage buildings and offices it currently occupies and to transfer its headquarters to outside of downtown Cairo, ahead of the government's expected move to the under construction new administrative capital.

The monthly meeting of the committee was chaired by its head, former Prime Minister Sherif Ismail.

The meeting discussed the plan to complete the renovation of Al-Azbakeya Park in central Cairo, which is currently on hold due to disagreements between the Cairo Governorate's local authorities, the National Organization for Urban Harmony, the Metro Authority, and the General Authority for Urban Planning.

Ismail spoke about the need to resolve the four parties’ disagreements by any means necessary in order to renovate the historic garden.

The committee also discussed a plan to develop downtown Cairo, instructing the General Authority for Urban Planning and the National Organization for Urban Harmony to prepare a detailed proposal, complete with a specific timeline and expected budget for the project as soon as possible.

Ismail said that the committee will work on raising the necessary funds to develop downtown Cairo's financial district.

The government is planning to move all ministry headquarters and government offices located in Khedival Cairo to the new administrative capital.

Last May, the National Committee for Developing and Preserving Historic Cairo proposed a law to regulate commercial activities and ownership of historic buildings in Khedival Cairo.