This meeting constitutes an important milestone in the process of strengthening joint Arab cooperation and exchanging expertise in the field of local affairs management, in addition to being a favourable opportunity to highlight the role played by the Kingdom of Morocco in embodying the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, aimed at strengthening coordination and cooperation between Arab countries in various development fields, and embodying the Kingdom of Morocco's firm commitment to strengthening the status of cities at the regional and international levels, by adopting advanced local governance based on foundations of sustainability and modern urban planning.
In a speech on the occasion, the Wali of the Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima region, Younes Tazi, highlighted that the Kingdom of Morocco's hosting of this meeting comes in a context where the Kingdom of Morocco, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, attaches great importance to strengthening joint Arab cooperation, especially in the field of urban development and comprehensive sustainable development. This event also reflects the pioneering role that the Kingdom of Morocco plays as a bridge for communication and rapprochement between the peoples of the Arab nation, in light of the accelerating regional and international challenges.
In this context, the Wali confirmed that the Kingdom of Morocco has achieved major accomplishments in the field of urban development, as it has given utmost importance to strengthening advanced regionalisation and decentralisation, highlighting in this framework the programme for the rehabilitation of ancient Medinas with the aim of renewing and developing infrastructure while preserving their historical and cultural character, and projects for environmental conservation and reliance on renewable energies, and managing urban growth effectively and strengthening infrastructure.
Mr. Tazi considered that "these achievements are not just individual projects, but are part of a comprehensive vision based on the New Development Model of the Kingdom, following the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who places the human being and the environment at the heart of development policies", noting that "what Morocco is achieving today is the fruit of a forward-looking vision that believes that cities are not just living spaces, but engines of development and tools for strengthening integration between countries and peoples".
For his part, the President of the Tangier Commune Council and President of the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Commune Councils, Mounir Laymouri, stressed that this meeting reflects "the depth of the bonds of cooperation and solidarity between territorial communes in the Arab world in general, and between cities in particular, and also confirms the collective commitment to strive to strengthen territorial development and achieve the well-being of female and male citizens, within a framework of optimal local management and good territorial governance".
Laymouri considered that Tangier's hosting of this meeting is an opportunity to deepen cooperation between Arab cities and territorial communes, and to exchange experiences on the common challenges facing the management of urban areas, foremost among which are achieving sustainable development, keeping pace with urban sprawl, improving the quality of public services, and strengthening citizen participation in decision-making.
In this framework, he stated that "accelerated urban expansion, environmental constraints, and economic and social transformations are all challenges that require the adoption of advanced public policies that achieve a balance between economic development and environmental preservation, and between modernising urban facilities and preserving the cultural identity of territorial areas", highlighting that the meeting is a real opportunity to develop a common roadmap for more prosperous and sustainable cities.
In turn, the Secretary-General of the Arab Towns Organization, Abdul Rahman Hisham Al-Asfour, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the continuous support provided by the Kingdom of Morocco to the organisation, praising in this context the positive and effective role of Moroccan cities, which were founding cities of the organisation, in supporting the path of this body and enriching its activities and strengthening its goals aimed at serving the Arab city and the Arab citizen.
He recalled that the organisation started in 1967 from Kuwait to establish a joint Arab solidarity aimed at building the cities of the future with an aspiration for contemporary architecture without losing identity and heritage roots, in order to achieve the aspirations of Arab cities in unifying urban and planning concepts and financial independence.
For his part, the Director in charge of managing the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency, Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui, confirmed that the meeting of Arab cities in Tangier renews the pledge to Al-Quds Asharif and the Kingdom's firm aspiration for the issues of Al-Quds and the Maqdessis (residents of Jerusalem), recalling in this context that the agency continued last year its commitment and support for Al-Quds and the Maqdessis, under the instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, on the basis of consultation with all societal groups, through the implementation of 55 projects with full funding from the Kingdom exceeding 4.2 million dollars, in the fields of health, culture, education, sports, youth, social assistance programmes, human development, women and childhood.
After pointing to the "difficult reality" in which Al-Quds lives and the growing needs of the Maqdessis, especially with the difficulties of economic recovery due to successive crises, Mr. Cherkaoui called on the delegations and members of the Arab Towns Organization present to allocate financial contributions within their budget to support the social projects of the Maqdessis and preserve the identity of the Holy City, highlighting in this context that the Kingdom "has established a model of support based on governance, good management and a forward-looking vision, and has achieved tangible results".
On the occasion, which was attended in particular by members of the Arab diplomatic corps, elected officials and officials, two memoranda of understanding were signed between the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Commune Councils and the Arab Towns Organization on the one hand, and on the other hand with the Arab Institute for Urban Development to strengthen cooperation in areas of common interest, and to coordinate training, coaching, and support for capabilities and research in urban policies.
An exhibition of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency was also opened, including photos of a group of projects and achievements carried out by the agency in the Holy City, in addition to some products and models of the most important landmarks of the city.
