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Saudi Gazette
14-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Arab European Cities Dialogue concludes in Riyadh with strengthened urban partnerships and sustainable development recommendations
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. 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.
Qatar Tribune
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar participates in Arab European Cities Dialogue Forum in Riyadh
RIYADH: Represented by the Ministry of Municipality, the State of Qatar participated in the Arab European Cities Dialogue Forum, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from May 11-13, under the theme 'City Partnerships for a Better Future'. The Ministry of Municipality delegation was headed by Assistant Undersecretary for Urban Planning Affairs Eng Turki Fahd Al Turki. The Assistant Undersecretary participated in a roundtable meeting on 'City Partnerships', where he discussed key achievements of municipalities in the State of Qatar, highlighted efforts to develop municipal work, and exchanged expertise with participating delegations. The forum is a strategic platform for promoting city diplomacy and expanding cooperation between Arab and European cities toward more sustainable and inclusive urban development. More than 100 mayors and municipal leaders from various Arab and European cities are participating, along with a number of international entities, including urban organizations, municipal unions, funds, and donor institutions specializing in supporting development projects. Through its sessions and panels, the forum addressed the key challenges facing cities, such as infrastructure, the quality of municipal services, digital transformation, sustainable financing, climate change, and multi-level cooperation between cities and stakeholders in the urban landscape. The forum is organized by the Riyadh Municipality, in partnership with the Arab Urban Development Institute, the PLATFORMA - a platform of the Association of European Municipalities and Regions, and the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities.
Leaders
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Leaders
Arab Urban Development Institute Signs Strategic MOUs at AECD 2025
Under the patronage of Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh and President of the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), the Institute signed two significant memoranda of understanding during the Arab European Cities Dialogue (AECD 2025) in Riyadh. The agreements were signed with Metropolis, the global network of major cities and metropolitan areas, and Fira de Barcelona, organizer of the Smart City Expo World Congress. These partnerships aim to strengthen collaboration in urban governance, innovation, and the exchange of knowledge between cities. AECD 2025 brought together representatives from over 100 Arab and European cities, as well as international organizations, municipal federations, and urban development institutions. The event reflects Riyadh's growing role as a regional center for global urban dialogue. These new partnerships reinforce AUDI's commitment to fostering international cooperation, advancing sustainable urban development, and supporting effective policymaking across Arab cities. Related Topics : Trump in Saudi Arabia: Underscoring Historic Ties and Riyadh's Strategic Centrality HUMAIN: Saudi Crown Prince Unveils New Global AI Powerhouse Saudi Football Pro League: Week 31 Schedule, Live Results & Scorers Jusoor Exhibition in Pristina Showcases Saudi Culture, Islamic Values Short link : Post Views: 106
Arab News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Riyadh dialogue to drive global urban cooperation
RIYADH: The Arab European Cities Dialogue launched in Riyadh on Sunday, gathering more than 100 mayors from Arab and European cities, along with international organizations and development institutions. Organized by Riyadh municipality under the theme 'City Partnerships for a Better Future,' the dialogue focuses on urban cooperation, livable cities, the environment, technology and digital transformation, and municipal financial sustainability. At the opening, Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, president of the Arab Urban Development Institute, highlighted the deep ties between Arab and European cities. He emphasized how these centuries-old dialogues continue to influence the construction, administration, and sustainability of urban spaces. Prince Faisal added that while cities face both shared and unique challenges, the forum focuses on common themes aimed at building more human-centered cities that enhance quality of life. Running until May 13, the forum is organized with the Arab Urban Development Institute, PLATFORMA — part of the Association of European Municipalities and Regions — and the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities. Riyadh's selection as the inaugural host highlights its growing regional and global urban influence and its key role in advancing municipal initiatives and international partnerships. Fabrizio Rossi, secretary-general of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, outlined his action plan: 'First, we are building a coalition of cities and universities to create an academic curriculum tailored to the needs of cities and local governments. 'Our ambition is to launch an international program on diplomacy and city-to-city cooperation with five leading universities.' He also emphasized investing in young leaders through the Young Elected Officials Academy, a program that equips them to drive local change. The next edition will focus on artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Key topics at the forum included the transformative role of cities and addressing barriers to environmental, social, economic, and cultural sustainability. City diplomacy was another focus, highlighting the value of sharing expertise and resources across regions to achieve common goals. Yousef Shawarbeh, mayor of Amman, Jordan, said: 'When we meet with city leaders, we find that the challenges faced by cities are the same, but their solutions must not be. We cannot transfer a solution from a European crisis to an Arab city, but we can benefit from the concepts used.' Fatiha El-Moudni, mayor of Rabat, Morocco, discussed how each city brings unique opportunities for collaboration. 'I must mention our work with German cities on energy efficiency, with Italian counterparts on waste management and landfill revitalization, and of course, with French cities on various projects.' She highlighted Rabat's partnership with Lyon on a sustainable urban mobility project, noting that Lyon supported the Rabat-Sale tramway from its initiation through its current expansion. The sustainable mobility plan developed with Lyon in France is guiding preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2030. El-Moudni explained: 'We've seen the impact on our citizens; it's literally changed their daily lives by offering a clean, efficient alternative to cars, reducing traffic and emissions, and improving air quality.' Rabat's collaboration with Lyon exemplifies how north-south partnerships, built on mutual respect and exchange, can create resilient cities for future generations. Emilia Saiz, secretary-general of United Cities and Local Governments, noted that exchanges between cities and territories have existed long before the formation of the League of Nations. 'This might be the first formal forum that we organize, but our relations go way back. Our movement is over 100 years old,' she said. Saiz emphasized that the next step is not just exchanging experiences but co-creating solutions together. 'I think the worldwide movement of local and regional governments is actually ready to be defined together with quality-of-life needs. And this is something that Saudi Arabia is leading within the UN.' She highlighted the important role of cities and local governments in determining what local services are needed to support quality-of-life growth, from investments to community services. Talent, co-creation, and intergenerational dialogue are crucial in shaping these provisions, according to Saiz. She also urged national governments and international institutions to recognize centralized cooperation as essential for multilateralism, saying a global network structure can develop concrete proposals for action. 'What I am offering is continuity,' she said. 'I would say for United Cities and Local Governments, we hope that together with the Arab Urban Development Institute and our European section, we can shape the contents of this dialogue and bring its influence to our World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology in Tangier next year.'
Leaders
11-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Riyadh Hosts Inaugural Arab European Cities Dialogue Forum
Saudi Arabia is hosting the inaugural edition of the Arab European Cities Dialogue Forum (AECD 2025) in its capital city, Riyadh, from May 11-13, 2025. Under the theme 'Bridging Cities, Building Futures,' the first edition of the forum brings together representatives of more than 120 Arab and European cities and municipalities, as well as over 50 international organizations and development funds, to strengthen cooperation and enhance communications to advance urban communities and boost economic and cultural exchange. Arab European Cities Dialogue Forum The Arab European Cities Dialogue Forum is organized by the Riyadh Municipality, in collaboration with the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), the platform of the Association of European Municipalities and Regions (PLATFORMA), and the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities. In Riyadh, City Partnerships for a Better Future Hosted by @Amanatalriyadh and supported by @Arab_Urban, Riyadh proudly welcomes the Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum . Date: May 11–13, 2025🗓️ — Arab European Cities Dialogue Riyadh 2025 (@Arabecd) April 16, 2025 The AECD 2025 is a regional and global platform that aims to bolster cooperation, foster connections, and build relations among the representatives of Arab and European cities and municipalities, including mayors, presidents, secretaries, and governors. The forum also brings together key stakeholders in international development, such as international urban organizations, municipal unions, and donor institutions. Spanning over a period of 10 years, the AECD will alternate between Arab and European cities each two years to strengthen ties, encourage city diplomacy, and promote more sustainable and inclusive urban development. AECD 2025 Objectives The Arab European Cities Dialogue Forum centers around four key objectives. These include enhancing communication through discussions that highlight good practices and common challenges; and building partnerships through meetings that enable cities to network and explore avenues for future cooperation. It also focuses on enhancing financing opportunities by discussing the governance of the AECD; and framework formulation by gathering cities and funding agencies to gain expert insights on project proposals. KAFD Metro Station Furthermore, the AECD 2025 aims to drive measurable impact on the local and global scales by balancing ambitious global vision with practical regional implementation. To this end, it focuses on four key areas: cities cooperation; livable cities and climate change; technology and digital transformation; and municipal financial sustainability. Strengthening City Bonds On the occasion of hosting the AECD 2025, the Mayor of Riyadh Region, President of the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, highlighted the deep-rooted relations between Arab and European cities, which shaped their civilizations, economies, and urban landscapes. 'The Arab European Cities Dialogue (AECD 2025) was conceived to strengthen the bonds between city leaders, communities, and institutions through constructive dialogue – a dialogue that embraces diverse values and cultures while facilitating the exchange of insights on pressing urban, economic, social, and environmental challenges,' Prince Faisal bin Ayyaf said. Riyadh The Mayor of Riyadh pointed to the significance of the AECD 2025. 'This event provides a premier platform for fostering and sustaining city partnerships, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which prioritizes meaningful cooperation at national, regional, and global levels while promoting the exchange of best practices in local urban development,' he said. Riyadh: A City in Transformation The selection of Riyadh as a host city for the inaugural edition of the AECD 2025 underscores its elevated status in the regional and international landscape, as well as its vital role as a dynamic hub for dialogue and collaboration. Sports Boulevard Riyadh has established its position as a hub for major urban, cultural and entertainment projects which aim to enhance the quality of life of its residents. These include more than 20 large scale projects, such as King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport, Sports Boulevard, Green Riyadh Project, and King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The capital city of Saudi Arabia has also emerged as a host for key global events, such as Riyadh Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034. This adds to Riyadh's weight as a key hub for fostering dialogue and collaboration to address pressing urban challenges. The remarkable transformation journey of Riyadh cements its pivotal role in providing opportunities and tackling challenges on the regional and global stages. Short link : Post Views: 15
