Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has today, Monday, 04 November 2024, arrived in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt where she is leading team South Africa to the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12)’s Summit held under the theme: “It All Starts at Home. Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities”.

The Summit takes place between 04-08 November 2024.

WUF12 is a high-level forum established by the United Nations (UN) in 2021, convened by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

Member States hosts the Summit on a rotational basis every two years.

WUF12 brought together a diverse array of stakeholders and champions of sustainable urbanization from around the world and participants included representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations, community organizations, private sector entrepreneurs, students, academics, and foundation delegates. This broad coalition convened to explore the urban transformation agenda, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Summit places particular attention on multilevel governance arrangements and partnerships for adequate housing, climate action, finance systems, digital technology, and urban crises response.

It will seek to address one of the currently pressing issues in the world, that is, rapid urbanisation and its impact on communities, cities, economies, climate change and policies.

WUF12 aligns with this year's theme, emphasizing the vital role local action plays in accelerating urban sustainability.

While at the Summit, Minister Kubayi is expected to participate in a number of sessions as a panellist and address a number of other sessions, including the session on localising the Implementation of the Global Action Plan for Accelerating the Transformation of Slum and Informal Settlements.

The networking session will create a dialogue space between the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) countries and development partners around the Global Action Plan to share visions and actions for slum transformation, localised prioritisation, and multi-partnership approaches.

The South African delegation will comprise officials from all spheres of government, Human Settlements entities, Members of the Executive Councils responsible for Human Settlements, representatives from the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Mayor’s and MMCs of Human Settlements.

*Media Enquiries:* Terrence Manase, Spokesperson to the Minister on 082 338 6707 / Terrence.manase@dhs.gov.za or DHS Head of Communications Nozipho Zulu on 078 457 9376 / Nozipho.zulu@dhs.gov.za

*Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements of the Republic of South Africa, Govan Mbeki House 240, Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria*