Under the patronage of His Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Oyaf, Mayor of Riyadh and President of the Arab Institute for Urban Development, two memorandums of understanding were signed in Riyadh between the Institute and both “Metropolis” — the global network of major cities — and “Fira de Barcelona,” the organizer of the Smart City Expo World Congress. The agreements aim to strengthen cooperation frameworks and expand partnerships with leading international entities working in urban governance, innovation, and knowledge exchange among cities.

The signing took place during the “Arab-European Cities Dialogue Forum” hosted by Riyadh, with participation from over 100 Arab and European cities, alongside international organizations, municipal unions, and development funding institutions. This underscores Riyadh’s prominent position as a regional hub for international urban dialogue.

The first memorandum was signed with Metropolis by Dr. Anas Al-Mughairi, Director General of the Arab Institute for Urban Development, and Mr. Jordi Vakkier, Secretary-General of Metropolis. It aims to establish a joint framework to enhance the capacities of Arab cities in urban governance and to design and implement advanced training programs, including workshops, executive courses, and collective learning sessions. The agreement also supports knowledge exchange and experience sharing between Arab cities and their global counterparts while coordinating joint efforts.

The second memorandum, signed with Fira de Barcelona and represented by Mr. Hugo Valenti, the exhibition director, establishes a strategic partnership spanning the next three editions of the Expo (2025–2027). It seeks to boost the presence of Arab cities, facilitate expertise exchange, and organize joint events and sessions during the expo, promoting best practices and supporting sustainable development.

These international partnerships reflect the pioneering role of the Arab Institute for Urban Development and its ongoing efforts to build institutional cooperation bridges between Arab cities and their global peers, fostering comprehensive development and enhancing the effectiveness of urban policies in addressing challenges.