Cairo: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnessed the signing of a significant cooperation agreement between UNESCO and Egypt's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during the launch of the International Academy of Architecture and Urbanism at its new headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. According to State Information Service Egypt, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini, and Egypt's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ayman Ashour, signed the agreement. The accord aims to bolster joint research and postgraduate studies, promote the mobility of students and teachers, and support the dissemination of applied research in areas such as heritage preservation, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation. In addition, the Prime Minister oversaw the signing of separate Memoranda of Understanding between Egypt's Ministry and international institutions including the International School of Architecture in Grenoble, France; the F aculty of Architecture at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; and the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies at Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands. These agreements seek to establish a research network to enhance Master's and PhD programs and strengthen applied research, particularly in heritage, sustainability, and new technologies. The Memoranda also aim to create a center of excellence in architecture and urban planning, which will assist governments and national institutions in the Middle East, North Africa, and African countries in implementing visions in related fields. Through collaboration with a network of experts, the center is expected to contribute to development and service projects across different regions.