Geneva:The Riyadh Municipality participated for the second consecutive year in the sixth UN Forum of Mayors, held from October 12 to 13 at the World Intellectual Property Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The event focused on the theme "Cities Delivering for a Sustainable Future."
According to Saudi Press Agency, the forum was organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in cooperation with regional commissions and supported by the Global Cities Hub. Riyadh's delegation, led by Advisor and Undersecretary for Urban Development Eng. Hussein bin Saud Al-Sudairi, included several specialists.
The forum addressed sustainable mobility, road safety, green cities, inclusive planning, affordable housing, heritage protection, and urban innovation, emphasizing Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities. During a session on sustainable mobility and road safety, Al-Sudairi described Riyadh's rapid transformation and development, highlighting that King Khalid International Airport handles around 40 million passengers annually. He also mentioned major projects, such as Expo 2030 Riyadh, King Abdulaziz Park, King Salman Stadium, and the New Murabba project.
Al-Sudairi outlined projects including residential communities, public transport networks, and the King Abdullah Financial District, alongside initiatives to revive heritage and cultural identity. These include Diriyah, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, and the King Fahad National Library. He emphasized environmental and recreational projects like King Salman Park, the Sports Boulevard, King Abdullah Gardens, and Green Riyadh, which enhance environmental sustainability and quality of life.
The municipality presented efforts to develop urban regulations that strengthen urban identity and consider environmental factors. This supports an integrated urban environment that meets residents' needs and enhances community resilience. The participation also involved reviewing international experiences in urban challenges and meetings with international organizations to exchange expertise in sustainable development, contributing to Saudi Vision 2030 targets.
This effort builds on the municipality's prior commitment at the fifth forum edition to plant 50,000 trees by 2026 under the "Plant Your Pledge" initiative, part of its strategy to expand green spaces and combat climate change, aligned with the environmental goals of Saudi Vision 2030.