Cairo: Egypt’s Minister of Local Development Manal Awad emphasised the importance of multilevel governance for a sustainable urban future during a roundtable discussion at the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo. The forum, which continues to attract global attention, provided a platform for Minister Awad to articulate Egypt’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in sustainable urban development.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the discussion on the second day of the forum (November 5th) included notable figures such as Anacláudia Marinheiro, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), along with ministers and high-level officials from around the world. Minister Awad highlighted the country’s efforts over the past decade to enhance local action and decentralisation in policy implementation, aligning with global and national urban agendas.
Minister Awad stressed the empowerment of local authorities as
essential in leading sustainable development, advocating for the formation of multi-level partnerships to improve citizens’ quality of life. She emphasized the need for integration between central and local government levels, identifying the strengthening of multilevel governance as a central objective for Egypt.
She further outlined the Ministry’s support for governorates and local administrative units in achieving sustainable development through modern and efficient local administration. This includes implementing comprehensive local planning, managing local assets and resources, and ensuring good governance. Awad also called for participatory planning and effective urban management systems, supported by guidelines disseminated across governorates.
Highlighting the importance of public policies, Minister Awad talked about strategic plans for governorates for 2030, revising legislation like the Local Administration Law, and promoting financial, economic, and administrative decentralisation. She announced p
lans for a national strategy for decentralisation and local administration development, along with technical support for governorates through development programs and knowledge tools.
Additionally, Awad noted the significance of securing funding through development initiatives and partnerships with private sector entities and international organisations. She cited partnerships in waste management and industrial zone operations in Upper Egypt as examples. Awad concluded with a commitment to diversifying funding sources and innovating tools such as local development funds.
Awad expressed anticipation for the discussions at WUF12, hoping to learn from other countries’ experiences to enhance local action for sustainable cities and communities.