The closing ceremony of the World Urban Forum 12 saw the adoption of the Cairo Call to Action, with UN-Habitat Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach highlighting the importance of local action in shaping cities and human settlements. She declared WUF12 as a turning point in the Forum’s journey, which explored urbanization through various dialogues, roundtables, and assemblies. The event saw a record-breaking attendance of over 24,000 participants from 182 countries, including heads of state, ministers, and mayors.
Discussions at WUF12 focused on key challenges such as the global housing crisis, the need for sustainable finance, and leveraging partnerships to address complex issues. Delegations pledged to act with urgency and prioritize equity and justice for sustainable cities. The closing ceremony also featured NGOs and civil society organizations, including the Van Leer Foundation, which highlighted the importance of inclusivity and safety in creating sustainable communities.
In the coming weeks and months, UN-Habitat will continue to highlight the outcomes of WUF12 at key events, including COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. These outcomes will also inform discussions within the organization and the first open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Adequate Housing for All. The journey to WUF13 in 2026 will continue to address the challenges of urbanization.