AUDI and Ernst & Young Sign MoU to Advance Urban Knowledge and Municipal Capacity Building

The Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) and EY Business Services have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen knowledge sharing in urban development, municipal institutional development, and capacity building, while promoting the exchange of expertise.

The agreement was signed by AUDI’s Director General, H.E. Dr. Anas Mofarreh Almughairy, and EY Chief Executive Officer Mr. Naif bin Ahmed Al Fureeh, establishing a three-year framework for cooperation.

The MoU supports the AUDI’s strategic focus on advancing policies, programs, capacity building, and international relations, while aligning with EY’s regional strategy to expand its impact and strengthen engagement with regional city networks and their leaders. The collaboration will focus on exchanging knowledge and perspectives on priority areas, including municipal institutional development, public-private knowledge sharing, municipal financial sustainability, local development planning, urban competitiveness, and social value and sustainable impact. It also covers knowledge development, thought leadership, and participation in regional and international events.

The 2026 knowledge exchange plan outlines several areas of cooperation, including supporting dialogues on local economic development in preparation for the 2027 Arab European Cities Dialogue Forum (AECD), delivering capacity-building workshops, producing knowledge resources on urban renewal, and exploring stakeholder integration and its socio-economic impact.

At the signing ceremony, Dr. Almughairy described the memorandum as an important step toward strengthening knowledge and professional exchange in support of Arab cities and municipalities. He said, “Through this knowledge exchange, we look forward to developing practical initiatives and knowledge outputs that contribute to capacity building and expand dialogue on urban development priorities across the region.”

For his part, Mr. Omar Ouda, Head of Consulting at EY MENA, said, “This knowledge exchange with AUDI marks an important step toward enabling Arab cities to address rapidly evolving urban challenges and capitalize on opportunities for sustainable growth. By combining technical expertise, specialized knowledge, and regional insights, we aim to help develop innovative solutions that strengthen municipal capabilities and improve the quality of services delivered to communities, supporting the region’s long-term development goals.”

Mr. Mohammad Haddara, EY MENA Consulting Services Partner, indicated that cities today are undergoing rapid transformation, requiring the adoption of new models for urban planning and development based on sustainability, resilience, and maximizing socio-economic impact. This partnership seeks to promote knowledge exchange and develop practical initiatives that enhance city competitiveness, strengthen the capacities of municipal leaders, and empower local authorities to deliver sustainable value for their communities.

The Memorandum of Understanding underscores the commitment of both parties to establishing a practical framework for collaboration on urban development and municipal priorities, supporting the evolving needs of Arab cities in the years ahead.