AUDI Hosts Symposium to Launch World Bank’s Cities that Work Report with Over 75 Arab and International Participants

30 Jun 2026

The Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), in collaboration with the World Bank Group, hosted a symposium at its headquarters in Riyadh to launch the World Bank report, Cities that Work: Realizing the Jobs Potential of MENA’s Cities. The report examines the role of cities in enhancing productivity and generating employment opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The event brought together more than 75 representatives from Arab cities, international organizations, and other relevant stakeholders, reflecting AUDI’s efforts to expand dialogue on the report’s findings and its perspectives on the future role of cities in supporting economic growth. Opening the symposium, His Excellency Dr. Anas Mofarreh Almughairy, AUDI Director, highlighted the report’s importance in advancing discussions on urban policies that promote economic growth and reinforce cities as drivers of development and job creation. Representing the World Bank Group, Almod Weitz, Regional Practice Director for Infrastructure, discussed the context of the report and emphasized the importance of aligning urban policies with job creation across the region. Alexandra Le Courtois, Senior Urban Specialist at the World Bank Group, presented the report’s key findings, outlining indicators and analyses of urban productivity in the Middle East and North Africa. She compared the performance of cities in the region with that of comparable cities worldwide and examined the factors that can improve their economic performance and strengthen their capacity to generate more and better jobs. The symposium also featured a “Practitioner’s Perspective” session with Fadwa Amghouz, Head of Cooperation & Partnership Department at the Regional Center of Investment, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region. The session explored practical experiences in local economic development and highlighted the role of cities and urban areas in attracting investment, improving market connectivity, and fostering environments that support growth and employment. Concluding the program, Catherine Tuvey, the World Bank’s Practice Manager for Urban, Resilience and Land, presented the report’s main conclusions and outlined its practical recommendations for policymakers in the areas of urban policy, productivity enhancement, and job creation. The cooperation builds on the ongoing partnership between the Arab Urban Development Institute and the World Bank Group. As part of this collaboration, AUDI published Issue No. 15 of “Mudnunua“, titled ” JOBS AND CITIES: SHAPING INCLUSIVE URBAN ECONOMIES IN ARAB CITIES“, which was launched in conjunction with the release of the World Bank report.