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Abu Dhabi to host 10th World Urban Forum in 2020

By Chinedum Uwaegbulam
22 October 2018   |   3:22 am
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has signed an agreement for the city of Abu Dhabi to host the tenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF10) in 2020. This will be the first time an Arab country hosts the landmark Forum. WUF10 will be convened by UN-Habitat and jointly organized with the Ministry…

Abu Dhabi

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has signed an agreement for the city of Abu Dhabi to host the tenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF10) in 2020.

This will be the first time an Arab country hosts the landmark Forum. WUF10 will be convened by UN-Habitat and jointly organized with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) and Abu Dhabi Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities (DPM), along with partners including the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the General Secretariat of the Executive Council.

Established in 2001, WUF is the world’s premier gathering on urban issues.

The Forum examines the impact of rapid urbanization and its implications for social, economic and environmental policies in communities, cities and towns.

UN-Habitat, the convener of the Forum, is the United Nations focal point for sustainable urban development working for an inclusive and prosperous urban future.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN-Habitat Maimunah Mohd Sharif congratulated Abu Dhabi for accepting the challenge of taking the World Urban Forum to the next level and commended the city authorities and the United Arab Emirate Government for outstanding coordination and timely preparations being jointly undertaken towards hosting the milestone event.

“Like so many cities in the region, Abu Dhabi is undergoing rapid and transformative urbanization and we commend the focus on sustainability shown by the Government. This open, inclusive Forum, with its high-level participation, is a unique opportunity to focus on how urban development can be implemented in a sustainable way around the world,” she concluded.

The Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities H.E Falah Al Ahbabi said Abu Dhabi was extremely pleased to have been chosen to host the Tenth session of the World Urban Forum particularly as it marks the first time an Arab nation has hosted this global event.

Al Ahbabi noted that hosting the World Urban Forum in 2020 provides the opportunity to advance on putting the UAE firmly on the path to sustainable development and recognizing the young country’s achievements in what will be the 49th year since the union of our emirates.

“We are delighted and eager for the opportunity to discuss solutions that are being tested by pioneering cities around the world while also showcasing our city, country and the renowned Emirati hospitality,” he said.

WUF10, which is expected to bring together more than 20,000 delegates from more than 150 countries, will certainly lead to new partnerships and actions to meet the challenges of urban areas. Key topics including human capital, resource management, education and culture, mobility, data and much more, will be discussed during the conference.

The Forum plays a key role in implementing the New Urban Agenda, a framework unanimously adopted at the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III), laying out how cities should be planned and managed to best promote sustainable development.

Abu Dhabi strongly supports the New Urban Agenda as it represents its own ideal for creating a sustainable Emirate by preserving and enriching its physical and cultural identity, while improving quality of life for all its residents.

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