Saudi Arabia aims to have at least 10 of its cities among the top 50 global municipalities JEDDAH: Gulf countries should enhance municipal operations and adopt smart city systems, as highlighted during a regional conference in Riyadh. The 12th Gulf Municipal Work Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing in partnership with the general secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council, focused on improving municipal work across the region from Oct 6-8, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Under the patronage of Minister Majed Al-Hogail, the conference emphasized the importance of community involvement in urban planning to promote sustainability in Gulf cities. It also called for adopting smart city technologies and geographic information systems, drawing on successful GCC experiences in artificial intelligence and data utilization. Speaking during the opening remarks of the first Global Smart City Forum, held in the Saudi capital early this year, Al-Hogail stressed the significance of Vision 2030 as a transformative journey for the Kingdom, emphasizing its role in instilling hope and ambition among citizens and outlining its strategy for urban development. He added that Saudi Arabia aims to have at least 10 of its cities among the top 50 global municipalities by achieving the factors of governance, sustainability, and interaction with the population, meeting their aspirations, and attaining high prosperity for them. The recent Riyadh conference served as a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange on best practices and innovative solutions for municipal development in the region, promoting collaborative teamwork among committees and technical teams dedicated to enhancing quality of life, as reported by the SPA. Over the three days, the forum hosted more than 15 discussion sessions and workshops, during which specialists shed light on the latest scientific and practical developments related to the development and sustainability of municipal work in the Gulf region, as well as the significant challenges facing the civic services system in the cities of the area. The discussions featured prominent government officials, private sector leaders, and specialists in municipal services from across the GCC. A platform was provided for knowledge-sharing, exploring cutting-edge solutions, and fostering collaboration to improve municipal systems and enhance the quality of life in the region. The sessions also explored expected ambitions and innovative solutions to tackle challenges within the sector. Experts discussed eco-conscious municipal economics and city management based on best practices for sustainability. Additionally, the potential risks posed by climate change to Gulf cities were examined, along with strategies to mitigate these impacts. The conference featured key research and working papers that addressed pressing challenges and highlighted emerging trends in the development and sustainability of municipal services. The event focused on strengthening partnerships in the municipal sector among GCC countries and emphasized the role of community participation in promoting sustainability within the industry. It also underscored the importance of developing human resource skills and their contribution to achieving sustainable municipal operations while showcasing modern models and strategies for human resource development. The conference proposed inviting prominent international municipal experts from outside the GCC to participate as keynote speakers and develop training programs for human resources in the sector to achieve sustainability in municipal work environments. The gathering addressed the educational and training programs required to ensure sustainability in the municipal sector and highlight successful approaches to qualifying and advancing human capital. During the conference, the winners of the fifth edition of the GCC Municipal Work Award were honored. The Saudi Ministry of Municipalities and Housing received first place for its project focused on the impact of community involvement in addressing visual distortion. It also secured third place for the “Initiative Based on You” and fourth place for the community partnership undertaking within the municipal work framework, titled “Contributing Community Initiative.”