{"id":5912,"date":"2026-01-04T17:55:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T14:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aecd2025.org\/?page_id=5912"},"modified":"2026-08-22T19:58:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T16:58:44","slug":"about-draft-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/ar\/about-draft-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0644\u0645\u062d\u0629 \u0639\u0627\u0645\u0629"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"5912\" class=\"elementor elementor-5912\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd78adf ken_b_center elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fd78adf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2b1851 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c2b1851\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9860594 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9860594\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80d00fb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"80d00fb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2a96b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a2a96b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52e522e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"52e522e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e524c13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"e524c13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-c19cdd1 elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/about-draft-2026\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAECD Overview \/\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-c4a88af elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/about-draft-2026\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t About\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ae0a10 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4ae0a10\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a8f073 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4a8f073\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Arab European Cities Dialogue<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3155b5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3155b5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Launched in May 2025 in Riyadh, the Arab European Cities Dialogue (AECD) is a biennial, inter-regional initiative designed to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and partnership between mayors, city leaders, and officials from Arab and European cities, alongside <span style=\"color: #00588e; font-weight: 500;\">international organizations, development partners, and financing institutions.<\/span><\/p><p>Rooted in the spirit of cooperation, AECD aims to strengthen the developmental ties between the Arab region and Europe by harnessing the power of city diplomacy as a driver for resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban development. Planned as a ten-year initiative, AECD will convene alternately in Arab and European cities, creating a long-term platform for exchange and co-creation across both regions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8f2c59 e-con-full elementor-hidden-widescreen elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a8f2c59\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3be9cc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"3be9cc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"container\" data-elementor-id=\"10108\" class=\"elementor elementor-10108\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c34ae19 ken_b_center e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c34ae19\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1af5eca e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1af5eca\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-229c749 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"229c749\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93b5497 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"93b5497\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7889b82 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7889b82\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50f4814 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"50f4814\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3080545 elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"3080545\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-4f70b98 elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAbout\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-44c4f9a elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/past-edition\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\/ AECD Riyadh 2025\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc1a57e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cc1a57e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-adf8ee2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"adf8ee2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Arab European Cities Dialogue<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f2e3ea ts elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2f2e3ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Launched in May 2025 in Riyadh, the Arab European Cities Dialogue (AECD) is a biannual, inter-regional initiative designed to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and partnership between mayors, city leaders, and officials from Arab and European cities, alongside international organizations, development partners, and financing institutions.<\/p><p>Rooted in the spirit of cooperation, the AECD aims to strengthen the developmental ties between the Arab region and Europe by harnessing the power of city diplomacy as a driver for resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban development. Planned as a ten-year initiative, the AECD will convene alternately in Arab and European cities, creating a long-term platform for exchange and co-creation across both regions. read less &#8230;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1763cc bt1 elementor-hidden-widescreen elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e1763cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">read more ....<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cf5566 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"7cf5566\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n    .ts1 ul,\r\n    .ts1 ol,\r\n    .ts2 ul,\r\n    .ts2 ol,\r\n    .ts3 ul,\r\n    .ts3 ol {\r\n        padding-left: 0;\r\n        \/* Remove default padding for lists *\/\r\n        margin-left: 0;\r\n        \/* Remove default margin for lists *\/\r\n        list-style-position: inside;\r\n        \/* Position bullets inside the list *\/\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .ts1 li,\r\n    .ts2 li,\r\n    .ts3 li {\r\n        text-align: left;\r\n        \/* Align list items to the left *\/\r\n        margin-left: 0;\r\n        \/* Ensure no additional left margin *\/\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    \/* Fix for parent expansion in Elementor *\/\r\n    .ts1, .ts2, .ts3 {\r\n        width: 100%;\r\n        display: block;\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/code.jquery.com\/jquery-3.6.0.min.js\"><\/script>\r\n<script>\r\n    jQuery(document).ready(function ($) {\r\n        \/\/ Initial state\r\n        var isExpanded = false;\r\n        var $textEditor = $('.ts1'); \/\/ Ensure this is your actual selector\r\n        var $button = $('.bt1 a'); \/\/ Ensure this is your actual button selector\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Compute half of the editor's full height and apply initial restriction\r\n        \/\/ Use a slightly larger fraction or a fixed height if scrollHeight isn't ready\r\n        var initialHeight = Math.round($textEditor[0].scrollHeight \/ 2.1);\r\n        var halfHeight = initialHeight + 'px';\r\n        \r\n        $textEditor.css({\r\n            'max-height': halfHeight,\r\n            'filter': 'blur(0px)',\r\n            'overflow': 'hidden',\r\n            'transition': 'none' \/\/ Prevent conflict with jQuery animate\r\n        });\r\n\r\n        \/\/ Button click action\r\n        $button.on('click', function (e) {\r\n            e.preventDefault();\r\n            \r\n            \/\/ Forces parents to allow expansion\r\n            $textEditor.parents().css({\r\n                'height': 'auto',\r\n                'max-height': 'none'\r\n            });\r\n\r\n            if (isExpanded) {\r\n                \/\/ Collapse\r\n                $textEditor.animate({ maxHeight: halfHeight }, 500);\r\n                $textEditor.parent().animate({ marginBottom: '0px' }, 500);\r\n                isExpanded = false;\r\n                $button.text('read More...');\r\n            } else {\r\n                \/\/ Expand\r\n                var fullHeight = $textEditor[0].scrollHeight + 'px';\r\n                $textEditor.animate({ maxHeight: fullHeight }, 500, function() {\r\n                    \/\/ Remove max-height after animation to allow for responsive resizing\r\n                    $(this).css('max-height', 'none');\r\n                    \/\/ Trigger resize to let Elementor\/browser recalculate layout\r\n                    window.dispatchEvent(new Event('resize'));\r\n                });\r\n                $textEditor.parent().animate({ marginBottom: '75px' }, 500);\r\n                isExpanded = true;\r\n                $button.text('read Less...');\r\n            }\r\n        });\r\n    });\r\n<\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2fea92 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b2fea92\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff7c6bb e-con-full parent e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ff7c6bb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed9988c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ed9988c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"403\" height=\"284\" src=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Mask-group.svg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-12046\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b336138 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b336138\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2bcc49c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2bcc49c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Designed under the slogan <span style=\"font-weight: 500; font-family: Halyard;\"> \u201cBridging Cities, Building Futures,\u201d <\/span>AECD explores multidimensional themes in urban management, municipal leadership, and sustainable development, with a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and city-to-city cooperation. The Dialogue addresses a wide range of topics &#8211; from livability and climate action to digital transformation and urban governance &#8211; encouraging practical collaboration and policy learning among cities. These themes were carefully selected to respond directly to the evolving needs and priorities of cities, support more effective and resilient municipal operations, and sustain long-term leadership, dialogue, and partnership among urban actors across the Arab and European regions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99fcb0e e-con-full elementor-hidden-widescreen elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"99fcb0e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17f40e8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"17f40e8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5a825c e-con-full parent e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e5a825c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8fe602 elementor-widget__width-inherit child elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a8fe602\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"502\" height=\"515\" src=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/89Madrid-KV.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-6999\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/89Madrid-KV.png 502w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/89Madrid-KV-292x300.png 292w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/89Madrid-KV-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 502px) 100vw, 502px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fad9621 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fad9621\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b9a1b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b9a1b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Designed under the slogan <span style=\"font-weight: 500; font-family: Halyard;\"> \u201cBridging Cities, Building Futures,\u201d <\/span> the AECD explores multidimensional themes in urban management, municipal leadership, and sustainable development, with a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and city-to-city cooperation. The Dialogue addresses a wide range of topics &#8211; from livability and climate action to digital transformation and urban governance &#8211; encouraging practical collaboration and policy learning among cities. These themes were carefully selected to respond directly to the evolving needs and priorities of cities, support more effective and resilient municipal operations, and sustain long-term leadership, dialogue, and partnership among urban actors across the Arab and European regions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cfc3d2a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cfc3d2a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13502ec e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"13502ec\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25c2f28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"25c2f28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">AECD Background<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e02ca5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e02ca5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">In an era of increased complexity and uncertainty, cities can play a central role in framing our common future.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3bbb50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f3bbb50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>AECD was created to bring Arab and European cities together as powerful partners in shaping a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable urban future. It turns shared challenges into opportunities for collaboration, innovation and impact.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-403e8db elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"403e8db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cities at the Center of Global Change.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4af90c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c4af90c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In a world marked by climate change, economic uncertainty and rapid technological disruption, cities sit on the frontline of every major global challenge. Urban areas concentrate most emissions, economic activity, human capital and rising inequality, making them both hotspots of risk and engines of opportunity. By 2050, around 70% of the world\u2019s population will be living in cities, which makes local action essential to achieving global goals such as the 2030 SDGs, particularly SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d73a1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1d73a1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Dedicated Arab\u2013European Platform.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b701a64 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b701a64\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Arab and European cities face many of the same pressures: overstretched services, environmental degradation, social tensions and rising vulnerability. At the same time, they hold complementary assets, experiences and perspectives that can inspire new solutions when brought together. AECD was created as a space where these cities can meet, exchange and co-design responses that are grounded in real local needs, yet connected to global agendas.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4103e27 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4103e27\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62272b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"62272b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"3232\" height=\"1924\" src=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002692-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-11530\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002692-1.webp 3232w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002692-1-300x179.webp 300w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002692-1-1024x610.webp 1024w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002692-1-768x457.webp 768w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002692-1-1536x914.webp 1536w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002692-1-2048x1219.webp 2048w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002692-1-18x12.webp 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3232px) 100vw, 3232px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08f7e92 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"08f7e92\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eda9ccf e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"eda9ccf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36ea7c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"36ea7c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2596\" height=\"2020\" src=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002694.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-11535\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002694.webp 2596w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002694-300x233.webp 300w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002694-1024x797.webp 1024w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002694-768x598.webp 768w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002694-1536x1195.webp 1536w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002694-2048x1594.webp 2048w, https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Group-1000002694-15x12.webp 15w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2596px) 100vw, 2596px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca3e877 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ca3e877\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d72664b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d72664b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cities\u2019 Diplomacy as a New Lever.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfa4a4c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bfa4a4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Diplomacy is no longer reserved only for nation states. Cities are increasingly building their own international relations, alliances and networks to advocate for their priorities, influence global debates and deepen mutual understanding. AECD leverages this emerging \u201ccities\u2019 diplomacy\u201d to move beyond geopolitical tensions and cultural misunderstandings, offering a neutral, constructive arena where Arab and European city leaders, partners and stakeholders can speak directly to one another and act together.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0c7c8fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0c7c8fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">From Aid to Partnerships and Co-Creation for Economic Development and Quality of Life.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab29837 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ab29837\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Traditional \u201cNorth\u2013South\u201d development models are no longer enough to respond to today\u2019s complex urban challenges. What cities now need are forward-looking partnerships based on experimentation, collective learning and joint problem-solving. AECD promotes exactly this shift: from one-way support to genuine cooperation, where Arab and European cities test new ideas, share what works and co-create pathways to better quality of life, stronger local economies and more sustainable urban development.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c427b7f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c427b7f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad90dad elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad90dad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Objectives<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c0871b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6c0871b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"objectives-css\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2595f7e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2595f7e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cfa639 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2cfa639\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea69514 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ea69514\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc24914 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fc24914\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"105\" height=\"105\" src=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Enhance-Communication.svg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-14236\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-836c5a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"836c5a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Enhance Communication<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ef3c20 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ef3c20\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cfe0f44 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cfe0f44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Facilitate open discussions among mayors, city experts, and practitioners to share good practices and tackle common urban challenges.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0d7bcd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b0d7bcd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eaab71e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"eaab71e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bc08dc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4bc08dc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b63448 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5b63448\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"105\" height=\"105\" src=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Enhance-Financing.svg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-14235\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02b15d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"02b15d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Enhance Financing Opportunities<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a332aa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1a332aa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d64180 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d64180\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Bring together Arab and European cities with development and financial institutions to explore innovative funding mechanisms and partnership governance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-324e2a5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"324e2a5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32ae2e6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"32ae2e6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f55d09 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0f55d09\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4fcb2df elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4fcb2df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"105\" height=\"105\" src=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Build-Partnership.svg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-14237\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acbf3de elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"acbf3de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Build Partnerships<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-658d46b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"658d46b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7eb2fb9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7eb2fb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Foster networking sessions between cities to identify synergies and develop potential future collaborations.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cef5779 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cef5779\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3eb5d75 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3eb5d75\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90691bf e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"90691bf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de15a70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"de15a70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"105\" height=\"105\" src=\"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Formulate-Frameworks.svg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-14234\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7e10a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b7e10a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Formulate Frameworks<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10c0586 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"10c0586\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-017c334 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"017c334\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Engage cities, development agencies, and experts in co-designing an Urban Development Agenda for Arab municipalities, drawing lessons from the European Urban Agenda.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a7b43a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2a7b43a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21dd298 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"21dd298\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Participate in AECD?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb7ca5c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"eb7ca5c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" id=\"participate-css\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6107880 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6107880\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c192274 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c192274\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25b8f45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wcf--icon-box\" data-id=\"25b8f45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wcf--icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wcf__iconbox style-\" >\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon icon\">\r\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_2621_1652)\"><path d=\"M30.0962 28.1067V0L0 6.77245V60.0216H60V21.3343L30.0962 28.1067ZM13.761 52.1241H8.34804V47.2557H13.761V52.1241ZM13.761 45.092H8.34804V40.2236H13.761V45.092ZM13.761 38.0599H8.34804V33.1915H13.761V38.0599ZM13.761 31.0061H8.34804V26.1378H13.761V31.0061ZM13.761 23.974H8.34804V19.1057H13.761V23.974ZM13.761 16.9419H8.34804V12.0736H13.761V16.9419ZM21.8204 52.1241H16.4074V47.2557H21.8204V52.1241ZM21.8204 45.092H16.4074V40.2236H21.8204V45.092ZM21.8204 38.0599H16.4074V33.1915H21.8204V38.0599ZM21.8204 31.0061H16.4074V26.1378H21.8204V31.0061ZM21.8204 23.974H16.4074V19.1057H21.8204V23.974ZM21.8204 16.9419H16.4074V12.0736H21.8204V16.9419ZM44.2662 52.1241H38.8532V47.2557H44.2662V52.1241ZM44.2662 45.092H38.8532V40.2236H44.2662V45.092ZM44.2662 38.0599H38.8532V33.1915H44.2662V38.0599ZM52.3256 52.1241H46.9126V47.2557H52.3256V52.1241ZM52.3256 45.092H46.9126V40.2236H52.3256V45.092ZM52.3256 38.0599H46.9126V33.1915H52.3256V38.0599Z\" fill=\"#006944\"><\/path><\/g><defs><clipPath id=\"clip0_2621_1652\"><rect width=\"60\" height=\"60\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect><\/clipPath><\/defs><\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\">\r\n\t\t\tConnect with City Leaders\t\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desc\">\r\n                <p>Meet mayors and senior officials from leading Arab and European cities to build powerful relationships, open doors for cooperation, and position your city on a global stage.\u200b<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t        \t\t<div class=\"wcf__btn\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"wcf-btn-default btn-hover-none\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a39d84 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6a39d84\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-562a91b elementor-widget elementor-widget-wcf--icon-box\" data-id=\"562a91b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wcf--icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wcf__iconbox style-\" >\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon icon\">\r\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"66\" height=\"64\" viewBox=\"0 0 66 64\" fill=\"none\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_2621_1628)\"><path d=\"M32.9996 38.4009C40.2846 45.4651 40.2846 56.937 32.9996 64.0011C25.7147 56.937 25.7147 45.4651 32.9996 38.4009Z\" fill=\"#E5AE51\"><\/path><path d=\"M28.3324 36.5237C28.3324 46.5139 19.967 54.6258 9.66459 54.6258C9.66459 44.6355 18.0299 36.5237 28.3324 36.5237Z\" fill=\"#E5AE51\"><\/path><path d=\"M26.3999 31.9995C19.115 39.0637 7.28458 39.0637 -0.000355878 31.9995C7.28458 24.9353 19.115 24.9353 26.3999 31.9995Z\" fill=\"#E5AE51\"><\/path><path d=\"M28.3351 27.4763C18.0326 27.4763 9.66728 19.3645 9.66728 9.37421C19.9697 9.37421 28.3351 17.4861 28.3351 27.4763Z\" fill=\"#E5AE51\"><\/path><path d=\"M32.9996 25.5999C25.7147 18.5357 25.7147 7.06378 32.9996 -0.000396682C40.2846 7.06378 40.2846 18.5357 32.9996 25.5999Z\" fill=\"#E5AE51\"><\/path><path d=\"M37.6649 27.4739C37.6649 17.4836 46.0303 9.37176 56.3327 9.37176C56.3327 19.362 47.9674 27.4739 37.6649 27.4739Z\" fill=\"#E5AE51\"><\/path><path d=\"M39.6007 31.9995C46.8856 24.9353 58.716 24.9353 66.001 31.9995C58.716 39.0637 46.8856 39.0637 39.6007 31.9995Z\" fill=\"#E5AE51\"><\/path><path d=\"M37.6676 36.5261C47.9701 36.5261 56.3354 44.638 56.3354 54.6282C46.033 54.6282 37.6676 46.5164 37.6676 36.5261Z\" fill=\"#E5AE51\"><\/path><\/g><defs><clipPath id=\"clip0_2621_1628\"><rect width=\"66\" height=\"64\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect><\/clipPath><\/defs><\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\">\r\n\t\t\tUnlock Funding and Partnerships\t\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desc\">\r\n                <p>Engage directly with development funds, financial institutions, and key partners to present your city\u2019s priorities, explore funding options, and secure support for transformative urban projects.\u200b<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t        \t\t<div class=\"wcf__btn\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"wcf-btn-default btn-hover-none\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-423fa1d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"423fa1d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5daae9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e5daae9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55d7dde elementor-widget elementor-widget-wcf--icon-box\" data-id=\"55d7dde\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wcf--icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wcf__iconbox style-\" >\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon icon\">\r\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"70\" height=\"70\" viewBox=\"0 0 70 70\" fill=\"none\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_2621_1599)\"><path d=\"M17.559 0.0063476L9.3399 8.20117L17.5773 16.4142L25.7963 8.21942L17.559 0.0063476Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M8.25775 9.24676L-0.0162354 17.4963L8.22114 25.7094L16.4951 17.4598L8.25775 9.24676Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M17.5803 18.5388L9.30634 26.7883L17.562 35.0197L25.836 26.7701L17.5803 18.5388Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M26.8632 9.28003L18.6442 17.4749L26.8998 25.7062L35.1189 17.5114L26.8632 9.28003Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M52.4449 0.0167188L44.1892 8.24805L52.5547 16.5889L60.8104 8.35755L52.4449 0.0167188Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M43.1071 9.29352L34.8697 17.5066L43.2352 25.8474L51.4726 17.6344L43.1071 9.29352Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M61.859 9.37439L53.6033 17.6057L61.7309 25.7093L69.9866 17.478L61.859 9.37439Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M52.5394 18.6692L44.3021 26.8823L52.4296 34.9859L60.667 26.7728L52.5394 18.6692Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M17.5289 35.002L9.2915 43.2151L17.5289 51.4282L25.7663 43.2151L17.5289 35.002Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M8.23524 44.2972L-0.00213623 52.5103L8.23524 60.7233L16.4726 52.5103L8.23524 44.2972Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M26.8331 44.3123L18.5957 52.5254L26.8514 60.7567L35.0888 52.5436L26.8331 44.3123Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M17.5761 53.5709L9.32037 61.8022L17.5761 70.0336L25.8317 61.8022L17.5761 53.5709Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M43.1256 44.2881L34.8882 52.5012L42.9792 60.5683L51.2166 52.3552L43.1256 44.2881Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M52.4376 35.0113L44.1819 43.2427L52.2728 51.3097L60.5285 43.0784L52.4376 35.0113Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M52.2834 53.4158L44.046 61.6289L52.4481 70.0062L60.6855 61.7932L52.2834 53.4158Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><path d=\"M61.5953 44.1134L53.3397 52.3447L61.7418 60.7221L69.9975 52.4907L61.5953 44.1134Z\" fill=\"#76489D\"><\/path><\/g><defs><clipPath id=\"clip0_2621_1599\"><rect width=\"70\" height=\"70\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect><\/clipPath><\/defs><\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\">\r\n\t\t\tShare Ideas, Shape Solutions\t\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desc\">\r\n                <p>Join international development organizations and urban experts to exchange innovative ideas, showcase your city\u2019s experience, and learn best practices that can be applied back in your city.\u200b<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t        \t\t<div class=\"wcf__btn\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"wcf-btn-default btn-hover-none\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ad6cd9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7ad6cd9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35a1823 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wcf--icon-box\" data-id=\"35a1823\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wcf--icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wcf__iconbox style-\" >\r\n\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon icon\">\r\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_2621_1646)\"><path d=\"M19.1807 38.5289V19.9926H38.3833V0H60V19.9926V38.5289V41.4638V60H0V38.5289H19.1807Z\" fill=\"#4A8FC0\"><\/path><\/g><defs><clipPath id=\"clip0_2621_1646\"><rect width=\"60\" height=\"60\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect><\/clipPath><\/defs><\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\">\r\n\t\t\tDiscover Transformative Urban Projects\t\t\t<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desc\">\r\n                <p>Explore flagship urban initiatives from dynamic cities that tell real transformation stories and reveal new opportunities for investment, collaboration, and impact.\u200b<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t        \t\t<div class=\"wcf__btn\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"wcf-btn-default btn-hover-none\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8e295f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f8e295f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a069f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"3a069f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n  #objectives-css .e-con-boxed,\r\n  #participate-css .e-con-full.e-flex.e-con.e-child {\r\n    height: 100%;\r\n  }\r\n<\/style>\r\n<script>\r\n(function () {\r\n  'use strict';\r\n\r\n  var MOBILE_BP = 768;\r\n  var instances = {};\r\n  var resizeTimer;\r\n\r\n  function css(el, styles) {\r\n    Object.keys(styles).forEach(function (k) { el.style[k] = styles[k]; });\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  function isRtl(el) {\r\n    return (el && getComputedStyle(el).direction === 'rtl') ||\r\n      document.documentElement.getAttribute('dir') === 'rtl' ||\r\n      document.body.getAttribute('dir') === 'rtl';\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  \/* \u2500\u2500 Section-specific slide finders \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n  var SECTIONS = {\r\n    'objectives-css': {\r\n      getSlides: function (section) {\r\n        return Array.from(section.children).filter(function (el) {\r\n          return el.classList.contains('e-con-boxed') && el.classList.contains('e-child');\r\n        });\r\n      },\r\n      getInner: function (section) { return section; },\r\n      getRowsToHide: function () { return []; }\r\n    },\r\n    'participate-css': {\r\n      getSlides: function (section) {\r\n        var inner = section.querySelector(':scope > .e-con-inner');\r\n        if (!inner) return [];\r\n        var cards = [];\r\n        Array.from(inner.children).forEach(function (row) {\r\n          if (!row.classList.contains('e-con')) return;\r\n          Array.from(row.children).forEach(function (card) {\r\n            if (card.classList.contains('e-con') && card.classList.contains('e-child')) {\r\n              cards.push(card);\r\n            }\r\n          });\r\n        });\r\n        return cards;\r\n      },\r\n      getInner: function (section) {\r\n        return section.querySelector(':scope > .e-con-inner') || section;\r\n      },\r\n      getRowsToHide: function (section) {\r\n        var inner = section.querySelector(':scope > .e-con-inner');\r\n        if (!inner) return [];\r\n        return Array.from(inner.children).filter(function (el) {\r\n          return el.classList.contains('e-con') && el.classList.contains('e-child');\r\n        });\r\n      }\r\n    }\r\n  };\r\n\r\n  \/* \u2500\u2500 Build slider \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n  function createSlider(sectionId) {\r\n    var config = SECTIONS[sectionId];\r\n    var section = document.getElementById(sectionId);\r\n    if (!section || !config) return null;\r\n\r\n    var slideItems = config.getSlides(section);\r\n    if (slideItems.length < 2) return null;\r\n\r\n    var inner = config.getInner(section);\r\n    var rowsToHide = config.getRowsToHide(section);\r\n    var n = slideItems.length;\r\n    var rtl = isRtl(section);\r\n\r\n    \/* save original state *\/\r\n    var origStates = slideItems.map(function (item) {\r\n      return {\r\n        item: item,\r\n        parent: item.parentNode,\r\n        nextSibling: item.nextSibling,\r\n        origStyle: item.getAttribute('style') || ''\r\n      };\r\n    });\r\n\r\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 wrapper \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n    var slider = document.createElement('div');\r\n    css(slider, {\r\n      position: 'relative',\r\n      overflow: 'hidden',\r\n      width: '100%',\r\n      boxSizing: 'border-box',\r\n      direction: 'ltr' \/* keep transform math stable in RTL pages *\/\r\n    });\r\n\r\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 track \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n    var track = document.createElement('div');\r\n    css(track, {\r\n      display: 'flex',\r\n      flexWrap: 'nowrap',\r\n      width: (n * 100) + '%',\r\n      transition: 'transform .35s cubic-bezier(.25,.46,.45,.94)',\r\n      direction: 'ltr'\r\n    });\r\n\r\n    slideItems.forEach(function (item) {\r\n      var slide = document.createElement('div');\r\n      css(slide, {\r\n        width: (100 \/ n) + '%',\r\n        flexShrink: '0',\r\n        boxSizing: 'border-box',\r\n        overflow: 'hidden',\r\n        direction: rtl ? 'rtl' : 'ltr'\r\n      });\r\n\r\n      css(item, {\r\n        width: '100%',\r\n        maxWidth: '100%',\r\n        flexBasis: '100%',\r\n        flexShrink: '0',\r\n        flexGrow: '0',\r\n        boxSizing: 'border-box',\r\n        paddingBottom: '52px' \/* room for in-card arrows *\/\r\n      });\r\n\r\n      slide.appendChild(item);\r\n      track.appendChild(slide);\r\n    });\r\n\r\n    slider.appendChild(track);\r\n\r\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 arrow nav (inside bottom of cards) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n    var arrowColor = sectionId === 'objectives-css' ? '#ffffff' : '#006944';\r\n    var arrowsEl = document.createElement('div');\r\n    css(arrowsEl, {\r\n      display: 'flex',\r\n      justifyContent: 'space-around',\r\n      alignItems: 'center',\r\n      gap: '20px',\r\n      paddingTop: '8px',\r\n      paddingBottom: '16px',\r\n      direction: 'ltr',\r\n      position: 'absolute',\r\n      left: '0',\r\n      right: '0',\r\n      bottom: '0',\r\n      zIndex: '2',\r\n      boxSizing: 'border-box',\r\n      pointerEvents: 'none'\r\n    });\r\n\r\n    function makeArrow(char, label) {\r\n      var el = document.createElement('div');\r\n      el.setAttribute('role', 'button');\r\n      el.setAttribute('tabindex', '0');\r\n      el.setAttribute('aria-label', label);\r\n      el.innerHTML = char;\r\n      css(el, {\r\n        display: 'flex',\r\n        alignItems: 'center',\r\n        justifyContent: 'center',\r\n        width: '36px',\r\n        height: '36px',\r\n        minWidth: '36px',\r\n        minHeight: '36px',\r\n        borderRadius: '50%',\r\n        border: '0',\r\n        background: 'transparent',\r\n        color: arrowColor,\r\n        cursor: 'pointer',\r\n        fontSize: '62px',\r\n        lineHeight: '1',\r\n        fontWeight: '300',\r\n        boxSizing: 'border-box',\r\n        userSelect: 'none',\r\n        flexShrink: '0',\r\n        pointerEvents: 'auto'\r\n      });\r\n      el.addEventListener('mouseleave', function () {\r\n        el.style.background = 'transparent';\r\n        el.style.color = arrowColor;\r\n      });\r\n      return el;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    var prevLabel = rtl ? '\u0627\u0644\u0633\u0627\u0628\u0642' : 'Previous';\r\n    var nextLabel = rtl ? '\u0627\u0644\u062a\u0627\u0644\u064a' : 'Next';\r\n    var prevBtn = makeArrow('&#8249;', prevLabel);\r\n    var nextBtn = makeArrow('&#8250;', nextLabel);\r\n    arrowsEl.appendChild(prevBtn);\r\n    arrowsEl.appendChild(nextBtn);\r\n    slider.appendChild(arrowsEl);\r\n\r\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 mount \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n    rowsToHide.forEach(function (row) { row.style.display = 'none'; });\r\n    inner.appendChild(slider);\r\n\r\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 equalize slide heights (Arabic fonts\/layout settle late) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n    function equalizeHeights() {\r\n      var slides = Array.from(track.children);\r\n      slides.forEach(function (s) {\r\n        s.style.height = 'auto';\r\n        s.style.minHeight = '0';\r\n        s.style.overflow = 'visible';\r\n      });\r\n\r\n      \/* force reflow so % heights resolve against auto parents *\/\r\n      void track.offsetHeight;\r\n\r\n      var maxH = 0;\r\n      slides.forEach(function (s) {\r\n        var h = Math.max(s.offsetHeight, s.scrollHeight);\r\n        var child = s.firstElementChild;\r\n        if (child) {\r\n          h = Math.max(h, child.offsetHeight, child.scrollHeight);\r\n        }\r\n        maxH = Math.max(maxH, h);\r\n      });\r\n\r\n      if (maxH > 0) {\r\n        slides.forEach(function (s) {\r\n          s.style.height = maxH + 'px';\r\n          s.style.overflow = 'hidden';\r\n        });\r\n      }\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    function scheduleEqualize() {\r\n      equalizeHeights();\r\n      requestAnimationFrame(function () {\r\n        requestAnimationFrame(equalizeHeights);\r\n      });\r\n      setTimeout(equalizeHeights, 100);\r\n      setTimeout(equalizeHeights, 400);\r\n      setTimeout(equalizeHeights, 1000);\r\n      if (document.fonts && document.fonts.ready) {\r\n        document.fonts.ready.then(equalizeHeights).catch(function () {});\r\n      }\r\n      Array.from(track.querySelectorAll('img')).forEach(function (img) {\r\n        if (!img.complete) {\r\n          img.addEventListener('load', equalizeHeights, { once: true });\r\n        }\r\n      });\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    scheduleEqualize();\r\n\r\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 navigation \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n    var current = 0;\r\n    function goTo(idx) {\r\n      current = ((idx % n) + n) % n;\r\n      track.style.transform = 'translateX(-' + (current * (100 \/ n)) + '%)';\r\n    }\r\n    prevBtn.addEventListener('click', function () { goTo(current - 1); });\r\n    nextBtn.addEventListener('click', function () { goTo(current + 1); });\r\n    prevBtn.addEventListener('keydown', function (e) {\r\n      if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') goTo(current - 1);\r\n    });\r\n    nextBtn.addEventListener('keydown', function (e) {\r\n      if (e.key === 'Enter' || e.key === ' ') goTo(current + 1);\r\n    });\r\n\r\n    \/* \u2500\u2500 touch swipe (invert in RTL so gesture matches reading direction) \u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n    var startX = 0;\r\n    slider.addEventListener('touchstart', function (e) {\r\n      startX = e.touches[0].clientX;\r\n    }, { passive: true });\r\n    slider.addEventListener('touchend', function (e) {\r\n      var dx = startX - e.changedTouches[0].clientX;\r\n      if (Math.abs(dx) > 40) {\r\n        var goNext = rtl ? dx < 0 : dx > 0;\r\n        goTo(goNext ? current + 1 : current - 1);\r\n      }\r\n    }, { passive: true });\r\n\r\n    return {\r\n      sliderEl: slider,\r\n      origStates: origStates,\r\n      rowsToHide: rowsToHide,\r\n      equalize: equalizeHeights\r\n    };\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  \/* \u2500\u2500 Destroy \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n  function destroySlider(sectionId) {\r\n    var inst = instances[sectionId];\r\n    if (!inst) return;\r\n\r\n    inst.rowsToHide.forEach(function (row) { row.style.display = ''; });\r\n\r\n    inst.origStates.forEach(function (state) {\r\n      if (state.origStyle) {\r\n        state.item.setAttribute('style', state.origStyle);\r\n      } else {\r\n        state.item.removeAttribute('style');\r\n      }\r\n      if (state.nextSibling) {\r\n        state.parent.insertBefore(state.item, state.nextSibling);\r\n      } else {\r\n        state.parent.appendChild(state.item);\r\n      }\r\n    });\r\n\r\n    inst.sliderEl.remove();\r\n    instances[sectionId] = null;\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  \/* \u2500\u2500 Responsive check \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\r\n  function check() {\r\n    var isMobile = window.innerWidth <= MOBILE_BP;\r\n    ['objectives-css', 'participate-css'].forEach(function (id) {\r\n      if (isMobile && !instances[id]) {\r\n        instances[id] = createSlider(id);\r\n      } else if (!isMobile && instances[id]) {\r\n        destroySlider(id);\r\n      } else if (isMobile && instances[id] && instances[id].equalize) {\r\n        instances[id].equalize();\r\n      }\r\n    });\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  function init() {\r\n    check();\r\n    window.addEventListener('resize', function () {\r\n      clearTimeout(resizeTimer);\r\n      resizeTimer = setTimeout(check, 150);\r\n    });\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  if (document.readyState === 'loading') {\r\n    document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', init);\r\n  } else {\r\n    init();\r\n  }\r\n})();\r\n<\/script>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About The Arab European Cities Dialogue Launched in May 2025 in Riyadh, the Arab European Cities Dialogue (AECD) is a biennial, inter-regional initiative designed to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and partnership between mayors, city leaders, and officials from Arab and European cities, alongside international organizations, development partners, and financing institutions. Rooted in the spirit of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5912","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5912"}],"version-history":[{"count":96,"href":"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14753,"href":"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5912\/revisions\/14753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aecd.araburban.org\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}