Local Development Minister Mahmoud Shaarawy has underlined the importance of his participation in the eleventh session of the World Urban Forum (WUF11) in Poland as Egypt is set to host the coming session in 2024.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 3-day event, he pointed out on Monday that the 2024 forum will be hosted by Egypt for the first time in Africa in more than 20 years.

The forum is a significant event to review urban opportunities, developments and challenges in developing countries, particularly in African ones, he said according to a press release by his ministry.

The minister voiced hope that Egypt will participate at the sessions, meetings and activities of the forum effectively.

Egypt is set to be handed over the flag of the coming session from the Polish president, the minister said, adding that a series of bilateral meetings will be held by him, on the sidelines of WUF11, with a number of Polish ministers and international and Arab officials as well as representatives of international agencies and organizations, topped by the World Bank and the United Nations Human Settlements Program, UN-Habitat.

MENA