DUBAI — 28 October 2025
Mayors and senior city officials from more than 30 Arab cities met at Expo City Dubai after the Global Cities Summit opening to plan a united response to the region’s fastest urban changes.

At an executive dinner hosted at Al Wasl Plaza, delegates - including mayors, deputy mayors and senior municipal officers - focused on four urgent priorities: water resilience, infrastructure investment, planning for rapid urbanisation, and youth employability. Speakers stressed that collaboration and shared learning will be more effective than one-off solutions, and that every city - large or small - has experience to offer.

Key takeaways

• Over 30 Arab city delegations attended, signalling stronger municipal ties across the region.

• Priority issues discussed: water security, housing and transport planning, infrastructure funding, and policies to boost youth jobs.

• Organisers urged a shift from isolated policies to coordinated regional action to handle fast urban growth.

Why it matters for our listeners
As cities expand, everyday life changes - from commutes and housing to job opportunities for young people. The agreements and plans formed in meetings like this will influence where services and jobs appear across the region.