The Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) and Eurocities, Europe’s leading network of cities, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in organizing the 2027 Arab European Cities Dialogue Forum (AECD), set to be held in Madrid next year. The agreement was signed by AUDI Director General Dr. Anas Almughairy and Eurocities Secretary General Mr. André Sobczak.
The MoU supports preparations for the Forum’s next edition, following its successful launch in Riyadh in 2025. The 2027 edition will be the first to take place in Europe, marking a significant milestone in expanding Arab European municipal cooperation.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate to enhance the participation of European cities by mobilizing mayors and municipal representatives, engaging relevant European institutions and urban stakeholders, and jointly designing a dedicated session as part of the forum’s program while contributing to its thematic discussions.
The partnership also includes promoting the forum through coordinated media efforts, strengthening knowledge and experience exchange between Arab and European cities, and encouraging joint research and knowledge initiatives on shared urban priorities and municipal challenges.
The agreement underscores the forum’s growing role as a platform for fostering dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, while advancing partnerships that support sustainable urban development across Arab and European cities.
