Source: Saba News Agency
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sheikh Sultan Al-Barakani, participated in the 12th session of the World Urban Forum held in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, under the slogan “Everything Starts Locally: Together for Sustainable Cities and Communities.”
The forum, held from November 4th to 8th, brought together representatives from national, regional, and local governments, academics, business leaders, urban planners, and civil society to discuss urgent urban challenges facing our world today. It reviewed significant local initiatives addressing global issues such as the housing crisis and climate change.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House emphasized that the World Urban Forum is a significant event, made even more remarkable by its 12th session being held in Egypt, a country with a rich history in urban development dating back to the civilization of the Pharaohs on the banks of the Nile.
He stated, “I believe that in our countries and parliaments, we have adopted development plans through numerous laws, and we have spoken about the Sustainable Development Goals, but unfortunately, they remain fragmented, as Ambassador Mukhtar Omar pointed out.”
He added, “Today, we discuss these plans and programs that face significant challenges and complex political situations from time to time, as is the case in our country, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and many countries around the world. But despite the bleak situation, we must emerge from this 12th session with substantial contributions to systematic drafting and realistic, permanent, and applicable solutions, not just temporary and interim treatments.”
The Speaker pointed out that the repercussions of global and local challenges and crises affecting cities and communities are the most dangerous challenge, especially in countries suffering from armed conflicts. Yemen, burdened with wars, pains, and sorrows imposed by the Houthi militias and their financiers, stands at the forefront of countries affected by these negative impacts. He noted that the bleak picture of the massive damage inflicted on millions of Yemenis and Yemeni cities since the Houthi militia’s coup against the government and the resulting large-scale displacement is even more painful, hoping it receives its due attention within the activities of this World Urban Forum.
Al-Barakani affirmed that Yemen’s historical civilization represents an important link in the chain of global heritage, and it is time to respond to the calls of mothers and fathers who long to see their children move fearlessly towards a future full of hope and to prevent the destruction of their rich cultural and environmental heritage.
The Speaker of the House addressed the ongoing destruction of people, heritage, and infrastructure in various parts of the world due to wars, saying, “How can we talk about developing human societies when we see the Israeli aggressive activities close to us in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, which continue to destroy people, cultural heritage, vital infrastructure, kill people, burn trees, demolish buildings, and deprive Palestinians of water, food, and treatment, reaping them as they do to the Lebanese.”
He added, “If there is no serious, systematic, and institutional work that is viable and sustainable, without full commitment to a practical methodology, we will not solve the problem nor achieve the goals as desired.” He hoped that the Cairo Forum would issue such a declaration and include it in the forum’s resolutions.
