Jamila Khair- Chairman of the Greater Amman Municipality Committee, Youssef Al Shawarbeh, received, in his office today, Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni Cuadrado, and the accompanying delegation, with the attendance of the Spanish Ambassador to Jordan Miguel de Lucas González, and GAM Committee vice president eng.Ziyad Al Rihani, and Amman City Manager eng. Ahmed Al Malkawi.
The two parties discussed ways to enhance cooperation and joint work mechanisms between the cities of Amman and Barcelona, in all areas of municipal work, in a way that benefits the two cities and, enhance the level of services provided to citizens .
The meeting included signing a Declaration of Intent between the Greater Amman Municipality and Barcelona city council, to strengthen bonds of cooperation and deepen bilateral relations between Amman and Barcelona, in a way that contributes in enhancing prosperity and flexibility, and improving citizens ' quality of life .
The Declaration, which was signed by the Chairman of the Greater Amman Municipality Committee, Youssef Al Shawarbeh, the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni Cuadrado, aims at increasing fields of cooperation and enhancing joint initiatives in areas of mutual interest, including fields of accessibility, sustainable water management, development of public green spaces, rain water drainage systems, flood mitigation measures, and projects related to smart cities.
Al Shawarbeh welcomed the visit of Barcelona Mayor, and the accompanying delegation on his first visit to Amman, which is considered an opportunity to enhance cooperation between two of the most ancient cities of the Mediterranean .
He said that signing the Declaration of Intent embodies our common vision for a more sustainable urban future, and the ability to adapt to challenges, and emphasizes our practical commitment to implementing strategic projects that include sustainable water management, developing green spaces, and strengthening flood mitigation measures, as well as investing in smart cities technologies .
Al Shawarbeh praised Barcelona's support for facilitating accessibility projects in Amman, which contributed in creating a more comprehensive urban environment for people with disabilities, in addition to exchanging experiences in the areas of innovation and urban flexibility, and participating in the international events such as the exhibition and the global conference of smart cities.
He explained that our partnership with Barcelona embodies our belief in cities diplomacy as a central tool to develop innovative solutions that benefit our citizens and enhance the position of our cities on the international scene, in light of the challenges facing cities today.
Al Shawarbeh stressed GAM commitment to achieve the common goals that meet the aspirations of our citizens towards development and prosperity, in addition to exploiting GAM institutional experiences in the service of this partnership.
For his part, Kadardo said that Amman is for Barcelona a nearby, Mediterranean city with which we have maintained active projects and cooperation for years. But it is also a reference city from which we want to learn.
He stressed that Amman is a city with a great tradition of hospitality, open, and deeply committed to the suffering of other cities and peoples. It has received refugees from many areas, especially Palestine.
He also said that it is an innovative and leading capital, I want to highlight its climate policy and its action plan to achieve zero emissions by 2050, as well as its commitment to public transport.
Therefore, a city that shares challenges with Barcelona and from which Barcelona can and wants to learn.
That's why we commit to collaborate together, starting by focusing on specific areas, such as climate policy and mitigation of climate change effects such as flood prevention systems or development , green spaces, citizen accessibility, and urban innovation.
Cuadrado added that I also want to announce that I have extended an invitation to Al Shawarbeh to participate in the Mediterranean cities event on November 26, which will be part, for the first time, of the Union for the Mediterranean countries conference program at the end of November in Barcelona.
It is noteworthy that the Greater Amman Municipality and Barcelona Municipality are connected by a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation and exchanging experiences in the fields of solid waste management and recycling, coordinating green spaces, and cooperation in the accessibility of people with disabilities to public facilities and public transport, in addition to the sustainable urban development and the ability to adapt to climate change.