Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, stated that the national smart cities strategy is a step towards achieving a digital society based on accurate databases and providing high-quality services to citizens.

During his speech at the conference launching the national smart cities strategy, Dr. Talaat explained that smart cities mean that the infrastructure is built through technology and controlled remotely, moving away from traditional methods used in the past.

The Minister clarified that the national smart cities strategy is a comprehensive vision to achieve development and build cities based on advanced infrastructure. The government began since 2019 to plan for developing existing cities and villages, the fruits of which are now being realized. The launch of this strategy also implements the recommendations of the World Urban Forum.

He mentioned that telecommunications networks inside new cities, rural and urban areas are being replaced and converted to fiber optic networks instead of copper cables, in addition to installing aerial networks that do not require digging or similar work.

Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development, confirmed that smart cities contribute to enhancing spatial justice and achieving better economic growth. She clarified that the national strategy is not limited to cities under construction but also includes new and smart cities.

During the conference launching the national smart cities strategy, the Minister of Local Development added that her ministry seeks to develop existing cities through several axes, including infrastructure development, integrating technology within existing cities, and working to achieve economic growth.

Dr. Manal Awad explained that the Smart Cities Atlas, launched in cooperation with the World Bank, reflects the importance of new and existing cities, noting that the strategy represents the vision of modern Egypt and makes the integration between new and existing cities the foundation for achieving development.

Engineer Sherif Al-Sharbini, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, announced the launch of the national smart cities strategy in Egypt (Phase One: New Cities).

In his speech, the Minister of Housing emphasized that today’s announcement represents a new start in the journey of the New Republic, explaining that smart cities represent a strategic choice to turn urban challenges into development opportunities, provide a more sustainable and just urban environment, and achieve balance between economic growth and natural resource protection.