The 61st World Planning Congress of the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) concluded today in Riyadh. The event, organized by the Riyadh Municipality in cooperation with ISOCARP, followed a multi-day program featuring experts, planners, professionals, and academics from around the world. The sessions and workshops addressed the future of urban planning and the challenges facing contemporary cities, culminating in the official announcement of Riyadh Municipality’s membership in ISOCARP.

In his closing ceremony speech, Eng. Saleh bin Mohammed Al-Saif, Assistant Undersecretary for Urban Planning at Riyadh Municipality, said:
“We meet today in Riyadh to conclude the World Planning Congress, after days filled with discussions, experiences, and visions that we hope will evolve into initiatives and programs that create real impact in the planning field worldwide.”

He added that the partnership with the Congress was a productive one, enabled by the supportive environment provided by local administrative and organizational entities in Riyadh, under the leadership of His Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf. He noted that Riyadh served over the past days as a living laboratory that brought together experts, academics, and professionals from across the globe—turning this diversity of knowledge into actionable visions and practical work pathways that demonstrate how dialogue can progress from ideas into tangible projects on the ground.

He continued:
“The discussions this year reflect the nature of the challenges we face today: urban, economic, and digital issues; climate transitions; infrastructure development; ecological growth; housing; transport; data and artificial intelligence; in addition to quality of life, urban design, and the development of public spaces.”

Al-Saif emphasized that the Congress concluded with rich professional and academic content—presentations, research papers, and valuable discussions that can be transformed into modernization policies and executable projects and programs. He added that the outcomes of the Congress will remain a legacy that begins in Riyadh and extends to capitals around the world, through systems, projects, and research that will be digitally archived for experts, planners, and decision-makers.

He also highlighted that the Congress coincided with the launch of a distinguished edition of the Young Planning Professionals (YPP) initiative—an initiative that gives the next generation a platform to present their future visions of planning issues and contribute to shaping trends in urban development.

He noted that ISOCARP has a history spanning more than sixty years, and that this year’s edition offered a profound intellectual and human experience through which participants continued to build professional networks and personal connections while gaining new insights and a deeper understanding of different contexts.

Al-Saif said:
“As Chair of the Local Urban Planning Organizing Committee, and on behalf of the Congress, Riyadh Municipality, its members, volunteers, students, and all governmental and private entities, I extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this event, presenting it in a distinguished manner to the world.”

He added:
“I speak to you today as a son of this city—Riyadh. A city that is not merely maps and numbers, but a place for people, for their dreams, and for their right to a safe, comfortable, and humane life. I believe the greatest achievement of humanity is creating spaces and projects that offer better lives for people—and this is what we see in Riyadh today: a vibrant, ever-renewing city, where cultures meet, and whose doors open confidently to the world as a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange.”

Elizabeth Belpaire, President of ISOCARP, expressed her gratitude to His Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh, for hosting the 61st World Planning Congress and for the exceptional hospitality extended from the moment the delegation arrived in the city.

She said:
“As ISOCARP President, I am honored to continue our collaboration with His Highness and the Municipality beyond this event. It has been an exceptional congress with record-breaking attendance and unprecedented levels of engagement across generations; the number of participants exceeded 1,200 from more than 50 countries.”
She noted that the Congress featured an array of new programs, innovations, and interactive spaces that strongly resonated with young planners, reflecting the spirit of the Kingdom and its ambitious youth.

She added that Riyadh provided an unparalleled environment, with a venue specially designed for the Congress at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, blending creativity, innovation, and renewal with the deep-rooted values and heritage of the city.

She continued:
“Our program was elevated thanks to our keynote speakers, roundtable participants, and all presenters in parallel sessions. These were days rich with learning, networking, and discovering the deeper reasons that make our profession so vital.”

She also announced that Riyadh Municipality has officially become a member of ISOCARP, and that cooperation with the Municipality will continue beyond this Congress to reinforce its outcomes and translate them into practical programs.

The closing ceremony marked the official conclusion of this year’s Congress, with an emphasis on the real impact that begins by transforming the ideas and visions discussed into projects, partnerships, and practical programs that enhance quality of life and create more human-centered cities.

The Congress expressed its appreciation to all participants from local and international entities, volunteers, students, and supporting organizations for contributing to the event’s success, and looked forward to future meetings that will continue strengthening knowledge and collaboration in the field of urban planning.