FAO at the World Urban Forum 12 (WUF12)

Urbanization in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is rapidly accelerating, with projections showing that by 2050, 73% of the population will live in cities. This urban expansion brings immense challenges, including environmental degradation, resource scarcity, and increased vulnerability to climate change.

Considering this, FAO is actively participating in the upcoming World Urban Forum (WUF12) taking place in Cairo, Egypt duding 4-8 November 2024 to address these issues.

The NENA region's urbanization often lacks comprehensive land use planning, leading to the loss of natural and agricultural lands. Coupled with climate change, these dynamics pose significant challenges to the region’s food systems. Cities, the primary hubs of consumption, struggle to meet the rising food demand due to natural resource scarcity, water limitations, and conflict. Changes in dietary patterns and rural food production also impact food availability and prices.

Addressing the intertwined challenges of food security, urbanization, and environmental degradation in the NENA region requires a holistic approach that connects urban and rural areas.

The FAO's participation in the WUF12 will highlight initiatives to foster sustainable agrifood systems, crucial for supporting growing city populations and sustaining rural communities. The next steps are critical for advancing sustainable urban-rural linkages in the NENA region. FAO’s collaboration and sharing of successful initiatives will foster resilient cities and secure food systems. These efforts will help manage rapid urbanization and climate change. WUF12 outcomes will inform future projects and investment plans, aiming to create climate-resilient communities and ensure long-term food security and environmental sustainability in the region.

FAO’s sessions at the Urban World Forum:

• Empowering Park Cities--Harnessing NbS, Parks, & Urban Forestry for Climate Intelligence and Socio-Economic Growth 

Date: 5 November 2024

Time: 13:00 – 14:30 Cairo Time

Location: TBC 

• Investment for planet and people – the business case for an integrated approach to ecosystem restoration and development solutions in the Near east and North Africa

Date: 6 November

Time: 17:45 – 18:45 Cairo Time

Location: One UN Egypt pavilion – Hall 4

Brief: The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region grapples with pressing environmental challenges like desertification, biodiversity loss, and climate change impacts, all of which threaten socio-economic stability. 

To address these issues, FAO and regional partners have launched a comprehensive investment framework that aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and aims to promote sustainable restoration through integrated solutions. This framework combines ecosystem restoration with development strategies, presenting a business case for economic resilience and environmental health, and includes six investment pathways leveraging regional and international resources. 

At the WUF12, FAO and the League of Arab States will host a session at the ONE UN Egypt Pavilion to discuss this framework’s potential, showcase regional case studies, and explore collaborative opportunities to scale ecosystem restoration and sustainable development across NENA. 

• Innovative financial mechanisms to support the transformation of urban agrifood systems

Date: 6 November 2024

Time: 13:00 – 14:30

Location: Multipurpose room 10

Brief: Many local and regional governments are incorporating green infrastructure and food systems into their policies and actions. However, cities and local governments often lack sufficient support and recognition at global and national levels, and agrifood systems issues are frequently siloed from environmental, health, and urban development portfolios.

In response to these priorities, FAO, UN-HABITAT, and ICLEI have organized a Networking Event during the next World Urban Forum (WUF), the premier global conference on sustainable urbanization, which brings together stakeholders from across sectors. This event will explore innovative financial mechanisms for embedding urban agrifood systems within urban development agendas. Building on the momentum from the recent Urban Agrifood Systems Global Workshop, held at FAO Headquarters this September, the WUF event will leverage workshop outcomes to link urban agrifood systems with sustainable urban development goals.

More details here.

• SCALA- Scaling Climate Action in Egypt: Integrating Agrifood Systems with Urban Resilience Through Scala Programme 

Date: 6 November 2024

Time: 15:15 – 16:15 Cairo Time 

Location: One UN Egypt Pavilion - Hall 4

Brief: This event will explore the intersection of Egypt's SCALA action plan with the priorities of WUF12, focusing on the development of climate-resilient agrifood systems and the enhancement of urban-rural resilience. The discussions will center on the integration of agricultural and urban planning, particularly emphasizing strategies to bolster resilience against sand and dust storms (SDS) and other environmental challenges. 

• Generation Restoration: From Brownfields and Concrete Jungles to Sustainable and Green Urban Landscapes 

Date: 6 November 2024

Time: TBC

Location: TBC 

• Governing the Water Energy Food Nexus: Learning from African cities 

Date: 7 November 2024

Time: 09:00 – 12:00 Cairo Time

Location: Multipurpose room 1

Brief: This training event is for city representatives and non-governmental organizations that advise and accompany cities in their food systems work. Participants will learn how to apply the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus approach to address resource constraint challenges, and how to develop outcome-driven indicators to focus minds on priorities, desired outcomes, and how to achieve them. 

• Greening Cities in the Near East and North Africa: Regional Knowledge and Experience Sharing for Climate Change Mitigation and adaptation   

Date: 8 November 2024

Time: 10:15 – 11:15 Cairo Time

Location: One UN Egypt pavilion – Hall 4 

Brief: This session will discuss the role of green infrastructure such as well-designed tree plantation programmes, in combating sand and dust storms as well as food loss and waste management at a municipal level, and the impact of climate change.  By enhancing land cover and stabilizing soil, these initiatives are essential for transforming urban and peri-urban food systems while contributing to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Throughout the session, successful urban greening initiatives from various countries in the region will be showcased, emphasizing that effective strategies to address the effects of Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) can only be achieved through targeted investment in these initiatives.   

• Urban Agrifood Systems Transformation in Near East and North Africa: Towards Reconnecting Cities with Nature and Mitigating the Impact of Climate Change on Urban Communities  

Date: 8 November

Time: 13:00 – 14:30 Cairo Time

Location: One UN Room B

Brief: This session will explore how green infrastructure and sustainable urban initiatives can help mitigate SDS impacts and address food loss and waste management, directly supporting SDGs 11, 12, 13, and 15. By showcasing successful urban greening projects in the NENA region, the session will highlight strategies for enhancing land cover and urban food systems resilience in response to climate and environmental challenges. Discussions will also include examples of municipal-level food loss and waste management, underscoring the potential for circular bioeconomy initiatives and job creation in these sectors. This collaborative dialogue aims to strengthen FAO’s policy and technical efforts, foster urban agrifood system resilience, and support the scaling of effective practices across regions facing similar challenges. 

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