Addis Ababa: The First African Cities Sustainability Forum will be officially inaugurated in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa tomorrow. The three day continental forum, which will be held at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in the heart of Ethiopia's capital, is expected to attract over 1,500 participants including urban development ministers, mayors and representatives of various international institutions. The forum is organized under the theme: 'Sustainable Urbanization Planning for Africa's Transformation - Agenda 2063.' The event, convened by the Government of Ethiopia, in collaboration with Africa Union and UN-Habitat, among others, is set to play a critical role in realizing the vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena. The meeting is believed to set the future development direction of the continent's cities within the framework of Agenda 2063. Discussions will also be structured around two sub-them es: financing urbanization for socioeconomic transformation; and sustainable and resilient urban development in Africa. Ethiopia was chosen to host the forum due to its rapid urban development and the government's focus on cities since the reform. This decision was made through the African Union Commission, taking into account Ethiopia's fast-growing cities and its significant contribution to Africa's development and growth. Source: Ethiopian News Agency