The Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum Concludes in Riyadh with Enhanced Urban Partnerships and Sustainable Development Recommendations

The first edition of the Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum concluded yesterday in Riyadh after three days of events under the theme "City Partnerships for a Better Future." Organized by the Riyadh Municipality in collaboration with the Arab Urban Development Institute, PLATFORMA (part of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions), and the International Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities, the forum brought together high-level participation from mayors, municipal officials, international organizations, and financial institutions.

The forum featured a packed agenda of scientific sessions, workshops, and roundtable discussions addressing key urban development challenges and opportunities. Topics included cross-border cooperation, climate resilience, future-proofing cities, and aligning local plans with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A notable session highlighted Riyadh’s integrated planning model as a regional benchmark for ambitious urban transformation.

A key session, “City Leaders Summit,” chaired by Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Secretary of Riyadh Region and President of the Arab Urban Development Institute, discussed the forum's future governance. It was agreed that the forum would be held biennially, becoming a cross-border urban platform. Madrid was selected to host the second edition in 2027. Future editions will focus on themes like economic growth, urban identity, digital transformation, quality of life, culture and innovation, sustainable cities, and risk management.

The “City Partnerships” session explored ways to boost cooperation between Arab and European municipalities through knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships to support sustainable urban development.

Among the forum’s standout moments was the “Urban Finance” session, where eight cities showcased development projects worth over SAR 6.2 billion (approx. USD 1.65 billion) to international financing institutions, opening avenues for cross-border investment and public-private collaboration.

Prince Dr. Faisal held bilateral meetings with European municipal leaders, including the mayors of Madrid, Amman, Damascus, and Turin, to strengthen global cooperation in urban planning, digital transformation, sustainability, and quality of life.

The forum also witnessed the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Arab Urban Development Institute and:

1. Metropolis – aimed at developing joint training programs, executive courses, and collaborative learning platforms for cities under the Metropolis umbrella.

2. Fira de Barcelona – establishing a strategic partnership through 2027 to strengthen Arab cities’ presence in the Smart City Expo World Congress.

These agreements underscore the Arab Urban Development Institute’s pivotal role in fostering institutional collaboration and knowledge-sharing to meet the accelerating challenges of urban development.

Held for the first time in Riyadh, the forum served as a strategic platform for city diplomacy, urban integration, and the creation of sustainable solutions in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Riyadh’s aspirations to become a global sustainable city.

The forum concluded with practical recommendations to strengthen city-to-city cooperation, improve governance and financing mechanisms, and stimulate innovation in municipal services—enhancing urban readiness for a more inclusive and sustainable future.