Arab European Cities Dialogue concludes in Riyadh with strengthened urban partnerships and sustainable development recommendations
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.
The sessions covered various cross-cutting themes, including cross-border cooperation in the session titled 'Beyond Borders: Transforming Cities through Global Cooperation,' climate action in 'Towards Resilience: Climate Adaptation and Mitigation in Arab and European Cities,' and future urban planning in 'Digital Transformation in Urban Governance: Insights from European and Arab Cities.'
The forum also examined how local actions can align with global goals through the session 'From Data to Impact: How Voluntary Local Reviews & SDG Localization Drive Development in Cities.'
A dedicated session titled 'Perspectives on Riyadh's Urban Leap – CEOs Talk' highlighted Riyadh's development journey as a regional model of integrated planning and ambitious growth.
In the 'City Leadership Forum,' chaired by Mayor of Riyadh and Chairman of AUDI Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, city leaders discussed the forum's governance and future prospects. It was agreed to institutionalize the forum as a biennial platform for cross-border urban collaboration. Madrid was announced as the host city for the second edition in 2027. Future editions will focus on topics such as economic growth, urban identity, digital transformation, quality of life, culture and innovation, sustainable cities, and risk management.
The 'City Networking' session, on the other hand, emphasized enhancing cooperation among Arab and European city leaders through knowledge exchange, building strategic alliances to promote sustainable urban development, and fostering networking among delegates to ensure the forum's long-term institutional impact.
The forum also showcased several impactful initiatives, notably the 'Urban Financing Forum', where eight cities presented development projects totaling over SR6.2 billion, directly engaging with 4 international development funds. This initiative aims to foster cross-border investments and connect municipal projects with development capital.
On the sidelines of the forum, Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf held bilateral meetings with several European city officials, including mayors of Madrid, Amman, Damascus, and Turin, to strengthen international cooperation in urban planning, digital transformation, sustainability, and quality of life.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
Pakistan gets offers in 100,000 metric tons white sugar tender, traders say
HAMBURG: The lowest price offered in the international tender to buy 100,000 metric tons of white refined sugar from Pakistan on Thursday was believed to be $539.00 a metric ton cost and freight included, European traders said in initial assessments. Offers in the tender from the state trading agency Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) are still being considered and no purchase has yet been reported, they said. The TCP can negotiate for some time in tenders before deciding whether to purchase. Reports reflect assessments from traders and further estimates of prices and volumes are still possible later.
Leaders
5 days ago
- Leaders
National Events Center, Authority for People with Disabilities Sign MoU to Promote Inclusion
The National Events Center has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Authority for the Care of People with Disabilities to foster collaboration in creating inclusive, accessible environments across national events. The agreement aims to enhance the experience of persons with disabilities and empower their active participation in the events sector. The MoU outlines multiple areas of joint action, including the exchange of expertise and the organization of workshops to build professional skills. It also focuses on improving accessibility and the overall quality of experiences at major seasons and national events. A central goal of the collaboration is to establish clear accessibility standards that support inclusive participation for all. Supportive Programs, Awareness Initiatives In addition to enhancing event accessibility, the agreement supports media efforts to raise societal awareness about the inclusion of persons with disabilities. It also includes the development of professional programs aimed at creating sustainable job opportunities within the events sector. Furthermore, both parties will work together to implement a feedback mechanism for addressing accessibility-related concerns during major events. Commitment to Inclusion, Equity This partnership reflects the Kingdom's broader commitment to fostering inclusion and equity across all sectors. By encouraging event organizers to adopt universal accessibility standards, the MoU contributes to building a more responsive and inclusive cultural environment, ensuring that persons with disabilities are integrated into every aspect of public life. Related Topics Saudi Arabia to host the Arab Radio and Television Festival next November Saudi Media Forum Discusses Impact of Entertainment Industry on Economy 150 Arab media personnel visit Masmak Fortress in Riyadh Short link : Post Views: 13 Related Stories
ArabGT
5 days ago
- ArabGT
Audi Electric Sportscar Is Coming to Recharge the Brand's Spirit
Audi is gearing up to make a statement this September with something big—really big. Just before the Munich auto show, the brand will pull the covers off a bold new concept: the Audi Electric Sportscar. It's more than just a futuristic design—it's Audi's next big move in the electric era, and it's heading to production in about two years. After saying goodbye to the TT and R8, many wondered if Audi had quietly stepped away from the world of sports cars. But the answer is a clear and electrified 'no.' This new model, described by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner as 'a highly emotional sports car—not a TT, not an R8, but something in between,' promises to fill that void—and then some. This isn't just about launching another EV. The Audi Electric Sportscar is being shaped as a symbol of what's next for the brand. Döllner even called it 'an identity builder,' and that says it all. Audi knows it needs to spark new excitement, especially after a stretch of delayed rollouts and a lineup that hasn't exactly thrilled fans or customers. So what can we expect? While Audi hasn't shared all the details yet, there's speculation that this new sportscar could share its platform with Porsche's upcoming electric 718. That could mean serious performance credentials, wrapped in Audi's signature design and engineering style. The concept itself will likely push visual boundaries, as most show cars do—but make no mistake: this isn't a pie-in-the-sky prototype. As Döllner put it, 'The car will be built.' More than just a vehicle, the Audi Electric Sportscar represents a fresh direction. It's a promise that Audi's passion for performance, design, and innovation is very much alive—just recharged with electric energy. With the countdown to its reveal underway, all eyes are on what could be Audi's most exciting chapter yet.
