Arab city leaders convene at Global Cities Summit, discuss sustainable urban growth

Dubai: More than 30 mayors and city leaders from across the Arab world gathered at Expo City Dubai for an executive dinner aimed at shaping a coordinated vision for sustainable urban growth in the region.

Delegates are in Dubai for the three-day Global Cities Summit, held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

The meeting, followed the opening of the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum at Al Wasl Plaza, was attended by UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Expo City Dubai Authority CEO Reem Al Hashimy, along with Ministers of State Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi and Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar.

Discussions focused on shared regional challenges including water resilience, population growth and youth employment. Participants emphasized collaboration among Arab cities to develop long-term strategies addressing these issues.

Representatives from major cities such as Riyadh, Dubai and Casablanca joined the discussions, which took place as the Arab region experiences one of the world’s fastest rates of urbanisation. UN-Habitat projects that 65 percent of the Arab population will live in cities by 2030, increasing pressure on infrastructure and services.

Officials at the meeting emphasised the importance of joint Arab cooperation, grounded in cultural and historical ties, which aligns with the UAE’s broader approach to regional partnership and economic integration. The session focused on developing shared policy frameworks to support investment in infrastructure and sustainable development.

The gathering also encouraged a shift from top-down decision-making to collective problem-solving, placing Arab cities as contributors to global urban dialogue.