The Arab Cities Organization celebrates the Arab City Day on March 15, which coincides with the 39th anniversary of its establishment. The celebration this year is being themed, "Municipal Performance among Cities: Coordination, Cooperation and Exchange of Expertise".
Secretary General of the Arab Cities Organization Abdel Aziz Adasani has delivered a speech on this occasion says: The organization celebrates the annual Arab City Day on March 15, which reminds the day when the organization has been founded almost four decades ago. It was established in 1967 with a kind initiative from the Kuwait Municipality, and in participation of 27 Arab cities. Today, the organization involves more than 400 Arab cities, which resonates its influence and significance in the region. The efforts and practices of ACO develop year after year to better serve Arab cities and their citizens.
Our choice of the theme this year was made to conform to our vision and approach to enhance the key role of local authorities and cities in promoting support for model partnerships among municipalities, sheltered with the sustainable urban development and in the way to achieve the Millennium Development objectives.
Our organization is currently working on a new strategy for the coming years, which will stem from the commitment of our region and cities to work together to achieve these objectives, and translate the decisions and recommendations made by the regional Arab meetings and conferences to sustain development in the cities and urban areas, as well as the housing, good governance, and integral environment.
Our theme this year is "Municipal Performance among Cities: Coordination, Cooperation and Exchange of Expertise" and translates the recommendations made by the General Conference and the Permanent Bureau of the ACO. It emphasizes our lasting partnership in developing our cities and rural areas.
We can definitely say that our Arab cities have accomplished notable steps in their way to enhance their social, economic and environmental capacities, and balance them with their prospects. Our cities have also succeeded in enhancing their contribution to the comprehensive development process through developing integral and innovative administrative procedures that concentrate on the fruitful partnership between the private sector and members of the civil community. Such partnership has helped in enhancing the municipal performance at large.
Having a strong mutual coordination and cooperation among Arab cities and municipal councils is a requisite, along with the exchange of know-how and successful experiments. Such a manner is a good civilized one with domestic and national specification to develop the city and preserve its environment, historic and cultural heritage. It also supports self efforts by persons and NGOs in the country to develop demographically and environmentally.
Our organization is preparing for the third conference for Arab and European cities, which is scheduled to take place in Dubai during the last 10 days of November this year.
This conference will found the basis for a new phase of municipal cooperation where discussions in the conference will be divided into urban, environmental, demographic and technological issues. Our Arab cities are invited to take part in the conference to enhance cooperation and coordination with the participants and to exchange know-how and expertise among them. It is also a good opportunity for us to translate our commitments into deeds, where we can abide by our strategy for development.
Finally, I can only congratulate their excellences mayors of the Arab cities, secretary generals, and presidents of the local authorities who celebrate with us the 39th anniversary for ACO.
I am also extending our gratitude to the presidents and prime ministers of our brethren Arab countries for their support and dedication towards the organization to help it achieve its goals. Their devotion has also been remarkable in preserving the traditional Arab heritage at our cities. Not to forget our deep appreciation and gratitude to the Arab cities for their endless work and advance.