The First Edition of the Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum Concludes Successfully in Riyadh

Date de l'événement : 2025-05-13

The First Edition of the Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum Concludes Successfully in Riyadh The Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum wrapped up on Wednesday, May 13, 2025, in Riyadh, marking a significant advancement in transcontinental cooperation for urban development. Djibouti’s Strong Municipal Leadership The Djiboutian delegation, led by Mayor Said Daoud, alongside architect and Deputy Director of Technical Affairs Ms. Saïda Zain and municipal lawyer Mr. Ali Ibrahim, represented Djibouti’s interests with distinction. During the Cities Leadership Forum, presided over by Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh, participants agreed to institutionalize the event biennially, creating a permanent platform for strategic urban dialogue. Mayor Said Daoud emphasized Djibouti’s geostrategic role, highlighting its port hub status and rich cultural heritage, a stance widely recognized by peers. The forum also announced Madrid as the 2027 host city, reinforcing Arab-European municipal partnerships. Djibouti Among Eight Awarded Urban Projects Out of 40 proposals from 54 countries, eight innovative urban projects were selected, including Djibouti’s "Zero-Waste Management and City Beautification" initiative, led by Ms. Saïda Zain Ahmed. Praised for its sustainable and inclusive approach, this project stands aligned with Mayor Daoud’s strategic urban vision. Djibouti advanced to the final selection stage, where eight projects received international funding and expert evaluations. Selected projects also include: - Madrid (Spain) – "Madrid Nuevo Norte" urban expansion - Nouakchott (Mauritania) – Climate Adaptation Fund - Nice (France) – Tramway Line 4 extension - Chisinau (Moldova) – "Red Mill" Restoration - Ramallah (Palestine) – Municipal Waste Sorting Plant - Erbil (Iraq) – "Towards a Cyclable City" - Dammam (Saudi Arabia) – Rehabilitation of Eastern Beach Streets A total funding package of 6.2 billion SAR has been mobilized by the Africa Finance Corporation, Saudi development funds, and the Riyadh Sustainable Fund (RSF). Permanent Cooperation Network Established Hosted by the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) and Riyadh Municipality, the event convened 120 mayors from 60 Arab and European cities to discuss: - Energy transition - Participatory governance - Urban digitalization - Social inclusion and climate resilience A joint urban transition fund and several smart city pilot projects have been launched, reinforcing sustainable urban innovation. Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf called this forum "a decisive turning point", stating: "We return home with concrete alliances and secured funding to build more inclusive, sustainable, and innovative cities." With strengthened partnerships and strategic commitments, this inaugural Arab-European urban dialogue paves the way for a new era of municipal cooperation, solidifying Djibouti’s growing influence in regional and international urban development Publishing and Translation : Nouria Omar Gaber