The Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum, which concluded its sessions the day before yesterday, a panel discussion titled “Strategies for Sustainable Urban Growth to Promote Local Economic Development and Investment.”
The session, which was attended by the Governor of Port Said in the Arab Republic of Egypt, Major General Mahab Habashi Khalil, the Mayor of Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman, Ahmed Al-Humaidi; the Mayor of Nicosia in the Republic of Cyprus, Charalambos Prontzos; and the Deputy Mayor of Paris in the French Republic, Anouch Touranian, explored ways to strengthen cooperation in adopting sustainable development strategies and highlighted successful experiences in achieving a balance between economic growth and the preservation of the urban environment, with a focus on mechanisms to attract investment and stimulate innovative projects that contribute to comprehensive development.
The speakers addressed the importance of building a resilient and sustainable local economy through innovative strategies to attract investment, strengthen public-private partnerships, and develop local legislation to facilitate private-sector participation in infrastructure and public service projects.
Participants discussed the regulatory and administrative challenges facing cities amid overlapping crises, such as: climate change and the economic slowdown, emphasizing the importance of directing investments toward high-impact projects that include sustainable transportation, clean energy, and smart urban planning, with a focus on improving quality of life and creating business-friendly environments.
The session highlighted successful experiences in redesigning the urban management model by empowering the private sector, restructuring contracts to be performance-based, and transforming major events such as: the Olympic Games and international conferences into economic catalysts that bring about long-term transformation in the urban and social fabric.
Speakers also addressed the role of cities in leading development pathways by building institutional capacity and adopting inclusive policies that accommodate marginalized groups such as: youth and migrants, and that promote the integration of economic and social development. They highlighted models of international cooperation among cities through the exchange of technical expertise and the launch of joint research projects, and enabling smaller cities to benefit from the expertise of larger cities in the areas of resource management, sustainable urban planning, and advanced urban technologies.
The session concluded by emphasizing that the future of local development requires models that are more flexible and open to partnerships, as well as effective investment of local and external resources, while adopting policies that promote social justice and ensure a balanced distribution of the benefits of development.