Kuwait participates in the Arab Cities Organization meeting and conference in Dhofar
- Directions to enhance the capacity of Arab cities to leverage innovation and technology in addressing urban challenges
The State of Kuwait is participating in the proceedings of the 64th Executive Meeting and the 20th General Conference of the Organization of Arab Cities, scheduled to be held on Monday in the Dhofar Governorate of Oman, under the theme “More Innovative and Sustainable Cities,” with the patronage of Dhofar Governor Marwan bin Turki bin Mahmoud Al Said.
The 64th Executive Meeting and the 20th General Conference will bring together a number of Arab cities and municipalities to discuss the most prominent issues and challenges facing Arab cities, and to explore ways to develop municipal work, enhance cooperation, and exchange expertise and experiences.
Representing Kuwait at the meeting and conference, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, are Badr Al-Asaker, Secretary-General of the Organization of Arab Cities, along with Manal Al-Asfour, Director General of the Kuwait Municipality, a number of municipal officials, a representative of the Al-Mubarrah Al-Kabir Governorate, Dr. Fatin bin Salama from Hawalli Governorate, and Hadeel Ma’arfi.
This participation stems from Kuwait’s role and status in the journey of the Organization of Arab Cities, which was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Kuwait City. For decades, it has served as a specialized Arab platform for cities and municipalities to exchange expertise and experiences and enhance cooperation among Arab cities.
The 64th Executive Meeting, held annually, constitutes one of the important organizational milestones in the organization’s work, discussing topics related to the organization’s programs, activities, and trajectory in the coming phase.
The meeting also contributes to enhancing coordination among member cities and following up on files and issues related to Arab municipal work and emerging challenges such as urban planning, environment, climate change, transport, water, waste, and urban development.
The 20th General Conference of the organization gains special importance amid the rapid changes cities are experiencing, which impose challenges related to urban expansion, population growth, infrastructure development, and service improvement, alongside digital transformation, climate change, and environmental sustainability. This requires developing urban management approaches and leveraging innovation and modern technologies to build more efficient, resilient cities capable of facing the future.
Furthermore, the conference, held every three years, extends a series of general conferences held by the organization in previous years, where discussions focused on topics related to the development and future of Arab cities.
The conference proceedings are expected to explore opportunities to expand cooperation among Arab cities in the fields of innovation, digital transformation, sustainability, infrastructure and service development, and the use of data and modern technologies in city management, as well as enhancing partnerships, knowledge exchange, and capacity building for personnel working in the municipal sector.
The conference outcomes are expected to contribute to setting new directions for the coming phase and enhancing the capacity of Arab cities to leverage innovation and technology in addressing urban challenges, alongside supporting policies and practices that achieve sustainability and improve quality of life.
