Speech of His Excellency President Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi at the World Urban Forum

  Cairo

His Excellency President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council, delivered a speech at the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12), which began its sessions today, Monday, in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. Below is the full text of his speech.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

My brother, His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi,

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, and all attendees,

I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation and heartfelt congratulations to the Arab Republic of Egypt—its leadership, government, and people—for the excellent organization and hosting of this prestigious international forum. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the United Nations for its valued efforts in encouraging our countries to pursue sustainable development across various fields.

The choice of Cairo to host this important global event is an ideal embodiment of the philosophy and objectives of the World Urban Forum. This ancient city has long been a symbol of architectural richness throughout history, a richness that has only increased in diversity and been put to serve the people and their national economy, especially in recent years under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who is spearheading an unprecedented urban and architectural renaissance in the history of the region.

It would be most beneficial for our countries to learn from this pioneering experience as we address our national obligations related to urban development and the reconstruction of our cities, with the help of the expertise and minds of Egyptian companies and professionals who have contributed to this extraordinary urban and developmental transformation.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Since its inception, the World Urban Forum has been designed to examine the impact of rapid urbanization on cities, communities, and national economies. It has also served as a unique platform for countries affected by armed conflicts to present the effects of wars and disasters on their cities and the future of their successive generations.

Fortunately, I am here with my esteemed brothers, Presidents Mahmoud Abbas and Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, to share stories from our own cities and the suffering of our people.

In Yemen, the war triggered by the terrorist Houthi militias has caused massive destruction across infrastructure sectors and essential services, notably in electricity, roads, transport networks, ports, airports, bridges, factories, and commercial facilities.

In terms of numbers, it is estimated that urban and municipal services in Yemeni cities have been damaged by about 49% in sectors such as energy, and 38% in water and sanitation, in addition to substantial losses in internal road networks and telecommunications assets. The housing sector has also been severely impacted, with approximately 16 Yemeni cities set back by decades.

According to a report from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) at the end of 2019, Yemen’s total economic losses could rise to $657 billion by 2030 if the war continues and the Houthi militias do not heed calls for peace and the requirements of restoring the path of development.

In this context, it is appropriate to highly appreciate the efforts of our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and other members of the Coalition Supporting Legitimacy, whose efforts have greatly helped in mitigating the hardships of the Yemeni people and preventing a total collapse of national institutions.

Mr. President,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Yemeni government is facing complex structural and financial challenges in dealing with climate-related changes, which have exacerbated the demands of emergency interventions and slowed the implementation of urban development plans at various levels.

Over the past decade, powerful cyclones have caused widespread destruction, including floods, landslides, and damage to infrastructure and citizens’ homes. For instance, between April and August of this year, flash floods resulted in dozens of casualties, more than 100,000 displaced individuals, and infrastructure and agricultural losses estimated at around $350 million.

Despite these challenges, the Yemeni government, with support from our brothers and the international community, continues to meet essential needs to mitigate the effects of climate change, including investment in infrastructure, emergency response, humanitarian assistance, and capacity-building in various sectors to develop adaptation plans and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

We are confident that this forum, as with other events hosted by beloved Egypt, will provide a significant contribution as one of the most important events focused on urbanization and comprehensive urban development worldwide.

Once again, thank you, Your Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, for the warm welcome and hospitality. 

Thanks to everyone who worked on organizing and making this global forum a success. 

 

May peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.