SALAR International was proud to participate in the Arab European Cities Dialogue (AECD) held in Riyadh from 11–13 May 2025. The forum brought together mayors, municipal leaders, and institutional partners from across the Arab region and Europe to exchange experiences on climate change, decentralization, and inclusive urban governance.

As well as exchanges with a wide range of local authorities and financing organisations from across the MENA region, SALAR International organised a session “Sustainability by Sweden – Resilient Communities and Cities in Response to Climate Change,” where we presented our work with the SymbioCity approach—highlighting how climate-smart planning, participatory processes, and trust-based partnerships can support cities in becoming more resilient. Moderated by the Swedish Embassy in Riyadh, the session featured contributions from Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner, the Malmö stad, and Sweco, and showcased practical tools like klimatlådan, along with examples from Sweden, Tunisia, Rwanda, and Saudi Arabia. The discussion emphasized the role of data, inclusion, and cross-sector collaboration in advancing local climate adaptation.

In partnership with Malmö stad, SALAR International also participated in the panel “The Role of Decentralization in Strengthening Local Governance,” organized by the Centre for Local Governance, offering insights from Sweden and also SALAR International’s work in the MENA region since 2010.

Additionally, SALAR International supported the UNDP-hosted session “Successful Multilateral Governance and Co-Creation Processes” by moderating the group discussions.

The AECD Forum proved to be a valuable platform for peer learning, regional exchange, and future partnership-building. SALAR International extends its sincere thanks to the event’s organizers— Arab urban Development Institute, PLATFORMA and CILG VNG International—for curating a meaningful and well-organized event.

Read more about AECD: https://aecd2025.org/