UNICEF Advocates for Child-Centric Urban Policies at WUF12

As part of UNICEF’s participation in the 12th Twelfth Session of the World Urban ForumWorld Urban Forum (WUF12), Nathalie Meyer, Acting UNICEF Representative in Egypt, and Thomas George, UNICEF Global Lead for Urban Initiatives, participated in a dialogue with UN-Habitat representatives on the topic of “Empowering Children through Urban Policy and Legislative Decision-Making Processes.”

The event underscored the importance of prioritizing children in urban planning and policymaking.

In her remarks, Meyer said: “We’re here to advocate for urban policies that put children living in Egypt first—ensuring they have access to education, healthcare, and safe spaces to grow and thrive. With over 60% of Egypt’s population under 25, every city has the potential to be a haven for its youngest residents, and that work starts here.”

The attendees also noted that engaging children in decision-making processes allows policymakers to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and so that they can foster the development of more inclusive and child-friendly urban environments.

WUF12 is organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) in collaboration with the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt. It has attracted over 37,000 participants from more than 182 countries, including officials from national and local governments, urban planners, business executives, academics, and representatives from civil society organizations.