Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny, Egypt’s Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, attended the 41st session of the Arab Housing Ministers’ Council and the 8th Arab Housing Conference, held in Algeria from December 17 to 19, 2024. The event saw widespread international participation, including a delegation of officials from Egypt’s Ministry of Housing.
Key Highlights from the Minister’s Address
Minister El-Sherbiny praised the council’s efforts in advancing sustainable urban development and fostering knowledge exchange among member states. He emphasized Egypt’s commitment to urban development under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives and the framework of Egypt Vision 2030. He highlighted key priorities, including providing adequate housing and addressing challenges like population growth, concentrated urbanization, and rising global construction costs.
El-Sherbiny also showcased Egypt’s successful hosting of the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) in November 2024, which highlighted the region’s urban achievements and facilitated knowledge-sharing among Arab nations.
Egypt’s Achievements in Housing and Urban Development
- Awards and Recognitions:
- “Rawdat Al-Sayeda Project” won second place for executed housing projects in 2024, transforming informal settlements into modern urban communities.
- Egypt received a commendation for the “Alternative Housing Project, Rawdat October”.
- Sustainability Efforts:
- The ministry released its 2024 annual report titled “Urban Development in the Face of Climate Change,” addressing the impacts of climate change on Egyptian cities.
- The report serves as a precursor to Egypt’s Second National Report on the New Urban Agenda.
- Urban Development Initiatives:
- Egypt continues to develop new smart cities, including the New Administrative Capital, New Alamein, and New Mansoura, to accommodate population growth sustainably.
Arab Collaboration and Future Plans
El-Sherbiny commended Algeria for hosting the 41st session and congratulated Minister Mohamed Tarek Belaribi on assuming the council’s presidency. He also announced Egypt’s ongoing work on a study titled “Social Housing Experiences in Arab Countries”, aiming to spotlight successful Arab housing initiatives.
He expressed optimism for the 8th Arab Housing Conference, themed “Sustainable Urbanization and Construction: Challenges and Promising Hopes,” as a platform to address regional housing and urban challenges.
In closing, Minister El-Sherbiny reiterated the importance of Arab solidarity to achieve sustainable development goals, emphasizing that the council should serve as a hub for partnerships and innovative strategies to enhance the quality of life for all Arab citizens.