The United Nations delegation to local development praises the efforts of “A Decent Life”
The United Nations delegation to local development praises the efforts of “A Decent Life”
The Minister of Local Development, Major General Hisham Amna, hosted a high-level delegation from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. The meeting was attended by Eng. Amr Lashin, “Director of the Program on Urban Governance and Legislation at the programme,” Dr. Rania Hedaya, “Director of the Program in Cairo,” Jesús Salcedo, “Coordinator of the World Urban Forum at the Program’s headquarters,” and Dr. Neil Khor, “Director of the Department of External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge, and Innovation.” This was in the presence of Dr. Hisham Al-Helbawy, Assistant Minister of Local Development for National Projects, Ambassador Mohamed Hegazy, Advisor to the Minister for International Cooperation, and Hadeer Ashraf, Director of the General Administration of International Relations and International Cooperation.
The meeting was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Local Developmentin the New Administrative Capital, where its aim was to follow up on joint cooperation files between the two sides, and there the Minister of Local Development welcomed officials of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme; Noting the importance of cooperation between the Ministry and the program in many development programs, as cooperation helps implement the sustainable urban development agenda in Egypt.
The meeting with the United Nations delegation also revolved around following up on the expected coordination steps for Egypt’s hosting of the World Urban Forum at its twelfth session in 2024. The meeting also witnessed a welcome to the expected visit of Mrs. Maimouna Mohamed Sharif, “Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations,” where the Minister of Local Development stressed that the World Urban Forum is an important international platform through which aspects of sectors – and fields – can be addressed. All sustainable urban development.
What Major General Hisham Amna pointed out is that Egypt’s hosting of this forum – the World Urban Forum in 2024 – is a great opportunity to confirm the renaissance that Egypt achieved during the era of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and to clarify Egypt’s vision in the field of urban development, the extent of its interest in confronting slums, and its interest also in city planning, which included the establishment of the new administrative capital and many smart cities.
This, the Minister of Local Development drew attention to the Ministry’s commitment to fully cooperate with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, and to coordinate with Dr. Assem Al-Gazzar, “Minister of Housing”; To prepare the next session of the forum, so that Egypt can be in a new guise that reflects the success it achieved in hosting the climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh.
The Minister of Local Development stressed Egypt’s keenness – ministries and institutions – to support the preparations related to hosting this important event, so that it emerges in the most beautiful way, and this is in light of the Egyptian experience at the urban and urban levels during the era of President Sisi’s leadership. The Minister also hinted that Egypt will host – in 2025 – the African Cities Summit, in cooperation with the African Cities and Local Governments Organization.
The Minister of Local Development spoke about the Egyptian experience in the field of urban development, and the resulting creation of smart cities and the implementation of green projects. The Minister also presented Egypt’s experience in implementing the presidential initiative “A Decent Life“, which focused on developing Egyptian villages. He also presented the Ministry’s role in implementing the presidential initiative to plant 100 million trees, and other development projects.
Amna praised the cooperation between the program and the ministry regarding the areas of development, urban planning and infrastructure in the governorates of Damietta and Qena, and this cooperation with the participation of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, as this cooperation will contribute to improving access to economic and social services for citizens.
It is worth noting that the UN-Habitat delegation was interested in the degree of cooperation and existing relations with the Ministry of Local Development. The delegation pointed out the importance of the decentralization system in the Egyptian experience when implementing urban development plans, which the delegation expressed admiration for, in addition to its confirmation that Egypt is the most appropriate choice to host the World Urban Forum. Because of its weight at the regional and international levels.
Not only that, but the program delegation praised the presidential initiative “A Decent Life,” which will have an important impact on rural development plans. The delegation also affirmed its aspiration for continued preparation and coordination – in a good and continuous manner – to host the next session of the Urban Forum.
At the conclusion of the meeting with the UN delegation, it was agreed to continue coordination between the ministry and the United Nations program in Cairo, so that discussions on preparing for this session could be completed, in a way that reflects Egypt’s logistical capabilities.
