المملكة: Riyadh hosts the first forum for dialogue of Arab European cities

The capital, Riyadh, will host the first version of the European Arab Cities Dialogue Forum under the slogan “City partnerships for a better future” during the period from 11 to 13 May.
The international event organized by the Riyadh Municipality is the first of its kind in the region, and it constitutes a strategic platform for strengthening ties between Arab and European cities, promoting city diplomacy, and supporting its directions towards more sustainable and comprehensive urban development.

Saudi position

The forum is held with a joint organization between the Arab Institute for Cities Development, the Platforma platform of the Union of Municipalities and European regions, and the International Agency for the Dutch Municipal Union, while the choice of Riyadh comes as the first host of the forum to confirm its advanced position in the regional and international urban scene, and its pivotal role in supporting municipal initiatives and enhancing cross -border partnerships.

A number of trustees, deans and mayors from various cities will participate in the forum, in addition to the presence of international bodies that include urban organizations, municipal federations, funds and donor institutions specialized in supporting development projects; This makes it a meeting point for municipal decision makers and representatives of development from all over the world.
The forum will discuss through its sessions and selected axes a set of common issues facing cities, the most prominent of which are the challenges of infrastructure, improving the quality of municipal services, digital transformation, sustainable financing, and climate change, as well as multi -level cooperation between cities and actors in the urban scene.
The work of the forum includes a series of interactive sessions and round tables, the congregation forum, the ideas market, and workshops organized by specialized international organizations, in addition to field visits that review the major projects taking place in the city of Riyadh, foremost of which are public transport and environmental transformation projects; What gives delegations an opportunity to get to know the city’s experience in the urban transformation and link development with its cultural and social identity.

Connecting Arab and European cities

This initiative contributes to developing practical recommendations that enhance the ability of cities on innovation and participatory planning, with a focus on building cross -border partnerships in the fields of financing infrastructure and urban services.
The forum also represents a practical platform to link Arab and European cities with real financing opportunities through direct communication with donor institutions and investors; This opens new horizons towards activating local projects within integrated development frameworks.
This hosting comes in light of Riyadh’s accelerating transformation into a global city based on an advanced infrastructure and an ambitious vision, aimed at building an integrated urban model that balances development, the environment and the quality of life, in harmony with the targets of the comprehensive national vision.
The forum embodies the “city partnership partnerships for a better future” the commitment of Arab and European cities to enhance joint work, exchange experiences, and explore innovative solutions to urban challenges, which enhances the opportunities to build more integrated and prosperous cities for future generations.