The Arab European Cities Dialogue: A Recap of the Inaugural Edition
The first edition of the Arab European Cities Dialogue concluded in Riyadh on Sunday after three days of discussions under the theme “Bridging Cities, Building Futures.” The forum was organized by the Riyadh Municipality in collaboration with the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), PLATFORMA, and VNG International.
Diving into Key Discussions
The conclusion of the event marked the culmination of a busy agenda featuring plenary sessions, workshops, and roundtable discussions that addressed key challenges and opportunities in sustainable urban development. The forum brought together high-level participation from mayors and city leaders from across the Arab world and Europe, along with representatives from international organizations, development funds, and municipal alliances.
Themes Explored
The sessions covered various cross-cutting themes, including cross-border cooperation, climate action, and future urban planning. They also examined how local actions can align with global goals through voluntary local reviews and SDG localization.
Future Prospects
The City Leadership Forum, chaired by Mayor of Riyadh and Chairman of AUDI Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, discussed the forum’s governance and future prospects. It was agreed to institutionalize the forum as a biennial platform for cross-border urban collaboration, with Madrid announced as the host city for the second edition in 2027.
City Networking and Initiatives
The “City Networking” session emphasized enhancing cooperation among Arab and European city leaders through knowledge exchange and building strategic alliances. The forum also showcased impactful initiatives, such as the Urban Financing Forum, fostering cross-border investments and connecting municipal projects with development capital.
Bilateral Meetings and International Cooperation
On the sidelines of the forum, Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf held bilateral meetings with European city officials to strengthen international cooperation in urban planning, digital transformation, sustainability, and quality of life.
