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Saudi Arabia Chairs Meeting to Prepare for Second Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum in Madrid

Amr Yehia

The Supervisory Committee of the Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum „AECD” held a meeting chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayaf, Mayor of Riyadh Region and President of the Arab Urban Development Institute, to review preparations for the forum’s second edition.

The meeting was attended by Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, Mayor of Madrid and Co-Chair of the AECD Forum Host City; Fatiha El Moudni, Mayor of Rabat and member of the Supervisory Committee; and Dr. Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens and member of the Supervisory Committee. The second edition of the forum is scheduled to be held in Madrid in January 2027.

At the outset of the meeting, Prince Faisal stressed the importance of building on the achievements of the first edition, which was hosted by the city of Riyadh. He underlined the need to enhance cooperation between Arab and European cities to facilitate the exchange of expertise, develop urban partnerships, and support innovative solutions to the challenges facing cities.

The committee discussed updates on preparations for the second edition and reviewed the work of the forum’s General Secretariat at the Arab Urban Development Institute, as well as Madrid’s hosting arrangements.

Members were briefed on a report from meetings of the member cities’ working groups, including recommendations aimed at advancing the forum’s work and maximizing its impact.

The committee also examined the general framework and main themes of the forum’s program, with the aim of establishing a shared vision for the second edition and reinforcing the forum’s role as an international platform for urban dialogue and knowledge exchange between Arab and European cities.

Madrid’s hosting of the forum follows the success of the first edition, held in Riyadh in 2025. That edition brought together 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 represents one of the strategic initiatives of the Arab Urban Development Institute. It seeks to consolidate cooperation between Arab and European cities, exchange expertise, and strengthen urban partnerships that support sustainable development and improve quality of life.

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