Cities around the world are key players in action on climate and sustainability, and the World Urban Forum (WUF) is one of their most important platforms. Established by the UN in 2001, WUF brings together national governments, international organizations and stakeholders from many sectors and governance levels to discuss, debate and propose actions that cities and people can take for justice and sustainability.

Sessions take place every two years, and the 12th session was significant in several ways. Taking place in the wake of the high-level UN Summit of the Future, WUF-12 gave opportunities to drill down to practical actions at the local level, under its theme of “It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities.” WUF-12 was also the first Forum to take place on the African continent in 20 years, as well as the first to be hosted by a megacity

WUF-12 comprised several main meeting streams. At the beginning of the conference, parallel Assemblies took place, representing: Local and Regional Governments; Business and Foundations; Grassroots Organizations; Women; and Children and Youth. Six high-level dialogues addressed key concerns related to: housing; climate action; partnerships and inclusivity; finance; social impacts of digital technologies; and migration and displacement. There were also special sessions and roundtables for action-oriented discussions, an Urban Expo, and many other events.

WUF produces no binding outcomes. Rather, the platform serves as a venue for generating ideas and forming new partnerships in the context of the New Urban Agenda—the blueprint for a sustainable urban future, adopted by the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in 2016. WUF is also important for generating action toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities

WUF-12 was co-organized by the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and its country host, the Government of Egypt.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting were Delia Paul, Ph.D.; Deborah Davenport, Ph.D.; Richard de Ferranti; and Hillary Rosentreter. The Digital Editor was Anastasia Rodopoulou. The Editor was Leila Mead.