Zambia, Egypt Strengthen Ties to Enhance Sustainable Development in Informal Settlements
Zambia and Egypt have engaged in bilateral talks focused on upgrading informal settlements, aiming to enhance sustainable development and improve housing. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 12th World Urban Forum in Cairo, emphasized knowledge-sharing and collaboration to address housing and urban challenges.
The Zambian delegation, led by Hon. Gary Nkombo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, expressed a keen interest in Egypt’s success with housing improvements and municipal service upgrades, initiated in 2016.
Highlighting Zambia’s approach to participatory planning and decentralization, Nkombo noted that Zambia’s strategies could support Egypt’s urban development goals, especially through active citizen engagement and local authority capacity-building.
Addressing rural-urban migration, Minister Nkombo underscored the importance of participatory planning for marginalized communities, prioritizing their aspirations in urban development efforts.
He also emphasized the need for strong, multi-level partnerships to support Sustainable Development Goal 11, which promotes sustainable human settlements.
Egyptian Minister of Local Development Dr. Manal Awad reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting Zambia, drawing from Egypt’s own achievements in informal settlement upgrades that have improved living conditions in numerous communities.
The ministers also discussed climate action initiatives aimed at bolstering urban resilience. Hon. Nkombo highlighted Zambia’s efforts to integrate climate considerations into urban planning, collaborating with civil society, academia, and international organizations to promote sustainable urban development.
The forum, officially opened by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, provided an opportunity for Zambia to expand its international partnerships, with key figures in attendance, including Zambia’s Ambassador to Egypt, Major-General Topply Lubaya, and Permanent Secretary Nicholas Phiri.
