Closing Remarks, Global Observance - World Cities Day 2024, Governorate of Alexandria

Excellencies, Honorable guests, Distinguished delegates, Youth representatives,

I am honored to join you today. My sincere thanks to the Government of Egypt, especially the Ministry of Local Development, and UN-Habitat for organizing this important celebration. 

To all the participants—our panelists, Shanghai Award recipients, and exhibitors of Green Technology Tools for a Sustainable Urban Future—thank you for sharing your expertise and passion.

It gives me great pleasure to see Egypt once again at the center of the World Cities Day global celebration. Following the success of Luxor in 2021, this has been yet another opportunity to showcase Egypt’s commitment to sustainable urban development. 

It is also inspiring to experience today here at the Alexandria Bibliotheca, a place that bridges the past, present and future.

As we have heard: "the battle for sustainable development will be won or lost in cities.”

The facts are clear. More than half the world’s people live in urban areas – by 2050, over two-thirds will do so.  Around 70% of global emissions come from cities. Two-thirds of SDG targets have an urban dimension. 

Extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and air pollution are impacting our urban populations, especially the most vulnerable. 

But we have solutions to help build climate-resilient cities.

This year’s World Cities Day theme speaks to our current moment: “Youth climate changemakers.”

Young people are our climate problem solvers. They are sources of climate action today, and they will be our leaders tomorrow.  

Today on World Cities Day, we recognize both the need for sustainable urbanization and the important role that young people are playing in shaping a brighter future for our cities and our planet.

Here, let me recognize all the young people who have gathered today, sharing their experiences and learning from one another. 

This weekend will also bring the Local Conference on Youth (LCOY) in Cairo, where young people from across Egypt come together to share ideas and recommend actions to address urgent climate problems. 

Last month in New York the UN hosted the Summit of the Future, which UN Secretary-General António Guterres described as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a more resilient and sustainable future".  

The Summit’s Pact for the Future is a call to action, a renewed global commitment to sustainable development, equity, and peace. This includes making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. 

The UN in Egypt is a proud partner in this effort. We have made sustainable and balanced urban development a priority in our Cooperation Framework with the Government of Egypt, the cornerstone of our joint efforts to accelerate the SDGs.

We have also put youth (60% of Egypt’s population) at the center of all our work. 

I commend the Egyptian government for their continued partnership with the UN system to implement the SDGs and the New Urban Agenda. 

Today is a reminder that realizing a sustainable future starts locally, and that young people are essential partners. 

Alexandria, like other coastal cities, is on the frontlines of the fight against climate change, facing rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

But Alexandria and its young people are also finding sustainable solutions to protect its unique heritage and build a resilient future. These are the changemakers who can transform our cities.

In closing, I echo the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres: “As we mark World Cities Day, let us celebrate the power of youth to build green, resilient and inclusive cities that meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.”

I cannot wait to see you all at the 12th session of the World Urban Forum in Cairo starting in just a few days. Let’s continue this dialogue, learn from each other, and realize the future we want. 

Thank you.