Egypt is taking significant strides towards sustainable urban development as it partners with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) on a new initiative.

Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad and UN-Habitat officials met to discuss a collaborative project to transform Egyptian cities into dynamic economic and social hubs.

The project will focus on three key areas: enhancing human capital for future city expansions, attracting investments to boost the economy, and enabling cities and rural communities to tackle climate change.

The proposal also addresses city-specific challenges, promotes the roles of women, children, and migrants, and considers climate challenges in linking rural and urban areas.

Damietta and Assiut have been identified as potential pilot cities for this ambitious initiative. The collaboration also includes exploring opportunities to expand the project to other Arab nations, such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Ahmed Rizk, Director of the UN-Habitat Programme in Egypt, emphasized UN-Habitat’s commitment to aligning with Egyptian and international frameworks, including the United Nations Human Settlements Agenda and Egypt’s 2050 urban development strategy.

UN-Habitat representatives discussed updates on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) study, efforts to integrate the informal sector, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the shared bicycle project. They also highlighted a project supporting basic water and sanitation services using nature-inspired technology.

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