Arab-European Cities Dialogue: Strengthening Cooperation for Sustainable and Innovative Cities

From the city of Riyadh, which is undergoing an exceptional urban transformation, and in a world marked by globalization and shared challenges, cooperation between cities has become a vital element in addressing urban challenges and leveraging common opportunities. The "Arab-European Cities Dialogue" Forum emerges as a global and regional platform aimed at fostering communication and building partnerships between leaders of Arab and European cities, including mayors, municipal leaders, and governors, as well as international organizations and funding institutions.  

This forum presents a unique opportunity to exchange expertise and shape shared visions for more sustainable and innovative cities. It seeks to achieve several key objectives, including:  

-Enhancing Communication:Through dialogue sessions that bring together city leaders and experts to exchange best practices and address common challenges.  

- Building Partnerships:Via networking sessions that facilitate future collaboration between Arab and European cities.  

- Promoting Funding Opportunities:By discussing financing mechanisms for urban projects with donor organizations.  

- Developing a Sustainable Framework: Through meetings aimed at formulating actionable policies and strategies.  

The forum also focuses on four core themes that reflect the shared challenges and opportunities between Arab and European cities:  

1. Inter-City Cooperation:*To enhance economic and cultural integration.  

2. Climate Change and Cities:By showcasing innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change.  

3. Technology and Digital Transformation: To improve urban services and build smart cities.  

4. Municipal Financial Sustainability: To ensure sustainable funding for development projects.  

The forum brings together more than 120 city mayors from major Arab and European cities, along with 50 development organizations and funds, making it one of the most significant international events in urban development. Additionally, 20 pioneering projects will be showcased, with field visits to explore successful models in Riyadh.  

His Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh and Chairman of the Arab Urban Development Institute, emphasized the importance of this dialogue in strengthening the historical ties between Arab and European cities. He noted that the forum aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which supports international partnerships to achieve sustainable development.  

He also affirmed that the forum is not a one-time event but will serve as a sustainable platform, held biennially and alternating between Arab and European cities, to ensure follow-up on agreements and resulting projects.  

The Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum represents a crucial step toward enhancing cooperation between cities in the fields of urban planning, sustainability, and innovation. Through this dialogue, leaders and policymakers can create a tangible impact at both local and global levels, building more resilient and prosperous cities for future generations.  

Amid shared global challenges, cooperation between Arab and European cities is not merely an option—it is a necessity to ensure a sustainable future for all.