The Steering Committee of the Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum (AECD), chaired by the Mayor of Riyadh and President of the Arab Urban Development Institute, Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, met in Madrid to review preparations for the forum’s second edition, scheduled to be held in the Spanish capital, Madrid, in January 2027.
The meeting brought together Mayor of Madrid José Luis Martinez-Almeida, co-chair of the forum; Mayor of Rabat Fatiha El Moudni; and Mayor of Athens Dr. Haris Doukas, both members of the Steering Committee. At the outset, the committee stressed the importance of building on the success of the inaugural edition, hosted by Riyadh, by strengthening cooperation between Arab and European cities, expanding urban partnerships, promoting the exchange of expertise, and advancing innovative solutions to shared urban challenges.
The committee reviewed the latest organizational preparations for the second edition. Members also discussed reports and recommendations submitted by the forum’s member city working groups, which are expected to enhance the forum’s effectiveness and long-term impact. The meeting further examined the proposed framework and key themes of the 2027 forum, intending to establish a shared vision that reinforces the AECD’s role as a leading international platform for urban dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cooperation between Arab and European cities.
Madrid will host the second edition following the successful inaugural forum held in Riyadh, which brought together representatives from more than 100 Arab and European cities, 45 international organizations, and over 300 mayors and urban leaders under the theme “City Partnerships for a Better Future.” The forum is a strategic initiative of the Arab Urban Development Institute that seeks to strengthen cooperation between Arab and European municipalities, promote the exchange of expertise, and foster urban partnerships that support sustainable development and improve the quality of life.
–SPA
