Dubai to host key Euro-Arab cities conference next year

'The high-profile event, titled Third Euro-Arab Conference and scheduled to be held in the second half of November 2006, would discuss city planning, public transport, infrastructure, tourism, environment, preservation of culture and heritage, information technology and best practices,' said Obeid Salim Al Shamsi, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Administrative Affairs and General Services.

'Held under the banner, "New Dilaogue on Development" it will bring together mayors, city officials, specialists and experts from almost all cities in Europe and the Arab World,' he said.

"Representatives of some 50 cities, organisations and institutions will present working papers on a variety of topics under the five themes of the conference which are: 1) city planning & local governments 2) public transport & infrastructure 3) tourism, environment & preservation of culture and heritage, 4) information technology and 5) transfer of best practices," said Al Shamsi.

A higher organising committee has been formed at the first preparatory meeting for the conference, which was held on Monday at Dubai Municipality, with representatives of COOPPEM (Standing Committee of the Euro Mediterranean Partnership, CEMR (Council of European Municipalities and Regions), ATO (Arab Towns Organization), Arab Urban Development Institute and Dubai Municipality attending.

Al Shamsi added that the committee has discussed the proposed budget and financial contributions for the conference which would be finalised by the committee's next meeting, scheduled to be held in the Italian city of Parma, with the participation of all members.

Obeid Al Shamsi, Munther Akram Juma, Director of Public Relations and Organizations Department and Dr. Abdelfattah Toukan, Executive Secretary of Dubai International Award for Best Practices, represented Dubai Municipality in the meeting.

The Italian-based COPPEM was represented by its secretary general Carmelo Motta, Giovanna Cirino from its press office, Calogero Speziale and Cristina Stimolo, COPPEM's representatives for Institutional and International Relations. Other participants from Italy included Sebastiano Di Bella, Director of the Parliament, Benedetto Mineo, Director of the Sicily Region, Angelo Capodicasa, former President of the Sicilian Region, Vladimiro Crisafulli, Vice President of the Sicilian Parliament, Sebastiano Messina and Lazzano, Parliament officers.

Jeremy Smith represented the France-based CEMR. Other participants in the meeting included Othman Al Freih, Deputy Director of Arab Urban Development Institute, Saudi Arabia, Ghassan Samman, Assistant Director General for Advertising & Foreign Relations Department, ATO, Kuwait and Mounia S. Haider Secretary, ATO.

Earlier, members of the committee were received by Hussein Lootah, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Planning and Building Affairs.