"The government of Egypt has done a great job organizing such a big event," Bezgachina told Ahram Online on Monday, highlighting the diligent preparations that have made the forum successful.

Cairo is hosting WUF12, which will run from 4 to 8 November. The theme of WUF12, convened by UN-Habitat, is “It all starts at home: Local actions for sustainable cities and communities."

This marks the forum's return to Africa for the first time since its first edition in 2002 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Accreditation process

Bezgachina also acknowledged Egyptian authorities' flexibility and support throughout the international media accreditation process.

"Yes, they have helped support the event," she affirmed.

As journalists interviewed the participating delegates, the discussion shifted to the media presence at the forum.

She noted that about 186 to 190 media outlets are represented, with around 60 being international and spanning 35 countries.

Egypt has allocated free transportation services, including 100 eco-friendly buses from key stations in Greater Cairo. It has also launched a Transport app to facilitate transportation for participants and provide them with essential information on bus schedules and locations.

Good representation
 

Outlets from France, Spain, Germany, and even Kenya and Nigeria are here, along with major Chinese news agencies, such as Xinhua and CGTN, she added.

"We have quite a good representation. We also have registered reporters from Brazil, so there’re different continents as well," Bezgachina noted.

The communications chief at UN-Habitat emphasized the crucial role of media in covering urban issues, which are often overlooked.

She explained that the media is essential for engaging the public's interest in urban development, housing, and community challenges.

Reflecting on the event's significance, she stated that such an international event is crucial as it brings together diverse perspectives.

Unique event
 

We have participants from over 182 countries, providing an opportunity for cultural exchange and understanding, Bezgachina asserted.

What makes this forum unique, she pointed out, is that it is a platform that focuses on pressing challenges, including a dialogue on the loss of home, which examines the impact of natural disasters and conflicts on communities.

The forum will focus on six key themes. The first theme, Housing Our Future, addresses global housing challenges. Meanwhile, the second theme, Cities and the Climate Crisis, examines cities’ roles in climate action through adaptation and mitigation. The third theme, Stronger Together, highlights partnerships among governments, businesses, and communities to build resilient, inclusive cities.

The fourth theme, Financing Localization and Localizing Finance, focuses on improving local governments’ access to finance and developing financial systems to support sustainable urban growth.

The fifth theme, Putting People First in a Digital Era, explores using technology to create inclusive urban solutions, and the final theme, The Loss of Home, addresses displacement caused by global crises.

WUF12 aims to promote localized solutions to the unprecedented urban challenges facing the world today, including rapid urbanization, rising urban poverty, housing shortages, and climate change impacts. It will also emphasize urban development priorities for developing nations in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing a platform for sharing innovative strategies and community-led successes.

International figures
 

WUF12 drew several heads of state and prominent international figures, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Jan van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague, and Anacláudia Rossbach, UN-Habitat’s Undersecretary-General and Executive Director.

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, who all delivered remarks at the ceremony.

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.