Cairo: The Quality of Life Program, part of Saudi Vision 2030, has hosted a panel titled “Towards Future Cities: Putting Quality of Life and People’s Well-Being at the Core of Urban Planning” during the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo. The event gathered experts to discuss integrating quality of life into urban development, aiming to align with sustainable urban growth goals.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the session explored strategies and methodologies to improve living conditions in urban areas, emphasizing the role of cross-sector collaboration. Chief Executive Officer of the Quality of Life Program Khalid Albaker highlighted the forum’s role in raising awareness of quality of life as a core element of urban planning, showcasing Saudi efforts to enhance living standards. Albaker stressed the importance of collaborative efforts across government, industry, and entrepreneurship to discover innovative solutions that meet community needs and advance sustainable development.

Participants included
specialists from the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, Thailand, and representatives from the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), enabling knowledge exchange and global insights on urban development.

The event also facilitated networking among decision-makers, investors, and entrepreneurs to foster urban planning partnerships. As part of its commitment to sustainable development, the Quality of Life Program contributes through 170 initiatives across the sports, culture, tourism, entertainment, urban design, and safety sectors. These initiatives support job creation, economic growth, innovation, and city humanization, all aimed at enhancing quality of life and achieving sustainable development across Saudi Arabia.