Last Tuesday marked the conclusion of the first edition of the Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum , which was hosted by the capital city of Riyadh over three days under the theme “City Partnerships for a Better Future.” The event was organized by the Riyadh Region Secretariat, in partnership with the Arab Institute for Urban Development, PLATFORMA (affiliated with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions), and the International Agency of the Dutch Association of Municipalities.
The conclusion of the Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum marked the culmination of a packed schedule of academic sessions, workshops, and roundtable discussions that addressed the most prominent challenges and opportunities in the path toward sustainable urban development, with high-level participation from mayors and municipal secretaries from various Arab and European cities, as well as representatives from international organizations, funding institutions, and municipal federations.
The sessions covered a wide range of topics, including key issues such as cross-border cooperation in the session “Transforming Cities Through Cross-Border Cooperation,” and ways to address climate change in the session “Toward Urban Resilience… Adapting to and Mitigating Climate Change,” and envisioning the urban future through the session “Future-Ready Cities… Visions for Impact.” The forum also discussed ways to align local plans with global Sustainable Development Goals in the session “From Data to Impact… How Do Voluntary Local Reviews and the Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals Contribute to Driving Development in Cities,” as well as a special panel discussion titled “Urban Transformation in Riyadh — A Conversation with CEOs,” which highlighted the urban experience of the capital, Riyadh, as a regional model for integrated planning and ambitious development.
The “City Leaders” Forum“ session, chaired by His Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Secretary of the Riyadh Region, as part of the Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum in Riyadh, highlighted the forum’s future and governance over the next decade, with an agreement to hold it biennially and transform it into a cross-border urban platform. The Spanish capital, Madrid, was selected to host the second edition in 2027, with future editions set to address key themes including: economic growth, urban identity, digital transformation, quality of life, culture and innovation, sustainable cities, and risk management.
The ”City Partnerships“ session, held as part of the Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum, mechanisms for strengthening cooperation between city mayors from the Arab and European worlds through the exchange of experiences and best practices, and the building of strategic partnerships that contribute to supporting sustainable urban development. The session focused on facilitating networking among delegation heads, promoting joint action, and building relationships that ensure the Forum’s sustainability and expand its institutional impact.
The forum featured a number of notable initiatives, most notably the ”Urban Financing“ session, during which eight cities presented development projects with a total projected investment exceeding 6.2 billion riyals, in direct engagement with international financial institutions, which strengthened opportunities for cross-border partnerships and linked municipal projects with development capital.
During the forum, bilateral meetings were held between His Highness the Mayor of Riyadh and the President of the Arab Institute for Urban Development, and a number of European municipal officials, including the Mayor of Madrid, the Mayor of Amman, the Governor of Damascus, and the Mayor of Turin, Italy, with the aim of strengthening international cooperation and exchanging expertise in the fields of urban planning, digital transformation, sustainability, and quality of life.
The Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding between the Arab Institute for Urban Development and, respectively, the international organization ”Metropolis“ and the ”Fira de Barcelona“ Foundation, the organizer of the Smart City Expo World Congress, under the patronage of His Highness the Mayor of Riyadh, President of the Arab Institute for Urban Development, and in the presence of a number of representatives from international organizations participating in the forum.
The two agreements aim to strengthen international cooperation in the fields of urban governance, innovation, knowledge exchange, and support for Arab cities” capacity to address rapidly evolving urban challenges through joint programs, educational and professional initiatives, and platforms for dialogue and experience-sharing.
The first agreement was signed with “Metropolis”; it was signed on behalf of the Institute by Dr. Anas Al-Mughairi, Director General of the Arab Institute for Urban Development, and on behalf of the organization by Secretary General Jordi Fakir, The memorandum focuses on developing a joint framework for designing and implementing advanced training programs, including workshops, executive courses, and group learning sessions, as well as supporting the exchange of expertise between Arab cities and major cities under the “Metropolis” umbrella.
The second agreement was signed by the Institute with the “Fira de Barcelona” Foundation, represented at the signing by the Director of the World Smart Cities Expo, Ogo Valenti, and provides for a strategic partnership spanning three editions of the exhibition between 2025 and 2027, with the aim of organizing joint events and working sessions and enhancing the presence of Arab cities at one of the world’s leading platforms for urban innovation.
These agreements reflect the pivotal role played by the Arab Institute for Urban Development in building bridges of institutional cooperation between Arab cities and their international counterparts, in line with the requirements of sustainable urban development, and enhancing the effectiveness of local policies in addressing growing global challenges in the areas of digital transformation, quality of life, and climate change.
The forum, held for the first time in the capital city of Riyadh, serves as a strategic platform for strengthening city diplomacy, supporting urban integration efforts, and devising sustainable solutions to shared urban challenges, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and Riyadh’s vision of becoming a sustainable global city.
The forum resulted in a number of practical recommendations to strengthen cooperation among cities, develop governance and financing mechanisms, and stimulate innovation in municipal services, thereby enhancing cities’ readiness for a more inclusive and sustainable future.