Riyadh Showcases Urban Vision at UN Mayors Forum

Riyadh Municipality presented the Saudi capital’s rapid urban transformation to the sixth UN Forum of Mayors in Geneva, held from October 12 to 13 at the World Intellectual Property Organization headquarters, under the theme “Cities Delivering for a Sustainable Future.” The delegation was led by Advisor and Undersecretary for Urban Development Eng. Hussein bin Saud Al-Sudairi, who outlined how Riyadh is translating Sustainable Development Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities into concrete projects across a metropolitan area spanning more than 5,000 square kilometers. The forum was organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in cooperation with regional commissions and supported by the Global Cities Hub, drawing city leaders from around the world to exchange practical solutions. For Saudi Arabia, the appearance marked a second consecutive year of high-level participation and reinforced the Kingdom’s growing role in global urban policy.

Why does a single city’s experience matter to a global audience? Because Riyadh is no longer only a national capital; it is a laboratory for how fast-growing cities can reconcile population expansion, environmental protection, heritage preservation, and economic diversification. The municipality’s address placed people at the center of that equation, describing residential communities, public transport networks, green spaces, and cultural districts as one integrated system rather than separate projects. Eng. Al-Sudairi told delegates that these efforts embody Riyadh’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, including housing and services, health and well-being, economic growth, heritage and environmental protection, and more inclusive urban communities. His remarks positioned the Saudi capital as a partner for other cities facing similar pressures.

Context and Background

What is the UN Forum of Mayors, and why has Riyadh made it a recurring platform? The forum is a specialized gathering convened by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe with regional commissions and the Global Cities Hub, giving mayors and municipal leaders a direct voice in international sustainability discussions. The sixth edition focused on how cities deliver on global commitments, from sustainable mobility and road safety to green cities, inclusive planning, affordable housing, heritage protection, and urban innovation. Riyadh’s participation for the second consecutive year reflects a deliberate strategy of sharing its own experience while learning from international peers. The municipality’s delegation included several specialists, signaling that the engagement is technical as much as diplomatic.

The context is a Kingdom undergoing the most ambitious urban program in its history. Riyadh’s population and economic footprint continue to expand, and the city is preparing to host major global events, including Expo 2030 Riyadh. That timeline compresses decades of typical urban development into a few years, requiring coordinated planning across transport, housing, utilities, public space, and culture. International forums such as this one allow Saudi planners to benchmark their approach against cities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, and to explain how Vision 2030 translates into neighborhoods, roads, parks, and public services. The municipality’s presence in Geneva therefore serves both a communication and a learning function.

The previous year’s participation established a benchmark. At the fifth edition of the forum in 2025, Riyadh Municipality announced its commitment under the “Plant Your Pledge” initiative to planting 50,000 trees in 2026, part of broader efforts to expand green spaces, improve quality of life, and combat climate change. That pledge is now being carried into the sixth edition as evidence of follow-through, not just aspiration. For international observers, the continuity matters: it shows that Riyadh’s engagement with multilateral urban agendas is sustained, measurable, and tied to the environmental goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Key Details

What did Riyadh actually present to the delegates in Geneva? Eng. Al-Sudairi’s address, delivered during a session on sustainable mobility and road safety, described a capital connected to the world through King Khalid International Airport, which receives around 40 million passengers annually and serves as a gateway to a city of more than 5,000 square kilometers. He pointed to major development projects including Expo 2030 Riyadh, King Abdulaziz Park, King Salman Stadium, which is scheduled to host matches of the 2034 World Cup, and the New Murabba project. Together these projects illustrate how the city is preparing for global events while permanently upgrading its infrastructure and public realm.

The presentation also covered residential communities, public transport networks, and the King Abdullah Financial District, alongside projects to revive heritage and cultural identity such as Diriyah, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, and the King Fahad National Library. Environmental and recreational projects formed a third pillar: King Salman Park, the Sports Boulevard, King Abdullah Gardens, and Green Riyadh, all of which contribute to environmental sustainability, health, and quality of life. By grouping these initiatives, the municipality showed that its urban model is not a single megaproject but a portfolio designed to reinforce one another.

Beyond the headline projects, the delegation detailed Riyadh’s efforts to develop a system of urban regulations that strengthens urban identity, takes environmental considerations into account, and limits the effects of materials and designs that are not in harmony with the city’s character. These regulations support an integrated urban environment that meets residents’ needs and enhances the resilience and sustainability of communities. The participation also included reviewing international experiences in addressing urban challenges and holding meetings with heads of international organizations to exchange technical and specialized expertise in sustainable development, efforts the municipality links directly to achieving Saudi Vision 2030 targets.

International and Regional Impact

Why should other cities pay attention to Riyadh’s approach? The Saudi capital is addressing a challenge familiar to many fast-growing metropolitan areas: how to absorb growth without sacrificing livability, identity, or environmental quality. Its answer combines mass transit, green corridors, heritage restoration, and regulatory design standards. For cities in the Middle East and beyond, Riyadh offers a working example of aligning national strategy with municipal execution. The municipality’s meetings with heads of international organizations in Geneva opened channels for technical cooperation, allowing expertise to flow in both directions and positioning Saudi Arabia as a contributor to global urban problem-solving rather than only a recipient of advice.

The regional dimension is equally significant. Riyadh’s projects are designed to serve as a hub for the wider Gulf and the Middle East, with the airport as a gateway and the city as a venue for world-class events. Expo 2030 Riyadh and the 2034 World Cup will bring millions of visitors and put the city’s transport, hospitality, and public spaces to the test. Participation in the UN Forum of Mayors helps align those preparations with international standards and expectations, from road safety to accessibility and inclusive planning. It also strengthens the Kingdom’s diplomatic presence in multilateral settings, where Saudi representatives increasingly speak about sustainability, innovation, and quality of life.

Economic and Strategic Significance

How do these urban investments connect to economic strategy? Projects such as the King Abdullah Financial District, New Murabba, and the transport networks around them are designed to attract headquarters, investment, tourism, and skilled talent. Green infrastructure including King Salman Park, the Sports Boulevard, and Green Riyadh raises property values, improves public health, and reduces the long-term costs of congestion and pollution. By presenting these initiatives in Geneva, Riyadh signals to international investors and institutions that its development pipeline is coherent, governed, and aligned with globally recognized sustainability frameworks. That credibility has tangible economic value.

Strategically, the municipality’s participation supports Saudi Arabia’s wider ambition to be a bridge between regions and a convener of global conversations. Hosting Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup requires not only stadiums and exhibition halls but also a city that functions smoothly for residents and visitors alike. The regulatory work described in Geneva, which protects urban identity and discourages unsuitable materials and designs, is part of building that durable city. It reflects a strategic choice to pursue growth that is distinctive rather than generic, preserving the capital’s character while modernizing its systems and services.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does this appearance fit into Saudi Vision 2030? Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy, improve quality of life, and position the Kingdom as a global leader in sustainability and innovation. Riyadh Municipality’s agenda touches nearly every dimension: housing and services, health and well-being, economic growth, heritage protection, environmental quality, and inclusive communities. The “Plant Your Pledge” commitment to plant 50,000 trees in 2026, announced at the 2025 forum, directly supports the environmental goals of Vision 2030 and demonstrates that international pledges are being converted into local action. The capital’s transformation is one of the most visible expressions of the Vision in daily life.

Looking ahead, Riyadh’s role on the world stage will only expand as Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup approach. The municipality’s second consecutive year at the UN Forum of Mayors shows a sustained commitment to learning from and contributing to the global urban community. By placing people at the center of development and linking local projects to the Sustainable Development Goals, Riyadh is building a city that is inclusive, resilient, and ready to welcome the world. That is the message Eng. Al-Sudairi carried to Geneva, and it is one the Kingdom intends to keep delivering in the years to come.

20 Questions

Q1. What was the main purpose of Riyadh Municipality’s participation in the sixth UN Forum of Mayors?

A1. Riyadh Municipality participated to present the Saudi capital’s urban transformation experience, share its approach to sustainable development, and exchange technical expertise with international city leaders gathered in Geneva.

Q2. Where and when was the sixth UN Forum of Mayors held?

A2. The forum was held from October 12 to 13 at the World Intellectual Property Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme “Cities Delivering for a Sustainable Future.”

Q3. Who led the Riyadh Municipality delegation at the forum?

A3. The delegation was headed by Advisor and Undersecretary for Urban Development Eng. Hussein bin Saud Al-Sudairi, accompanied by several specialists from the municipality.

Q4. Which organizations organized and supported the forum?

A4. The forum was organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe in cooperation with regional commissions and with the support of the Global Cities Hub.

Q5. What topics were discussed at the sixth edition of the forum?

A5. Discussions covered sustainable mobility, road safety, green cities, inclusive planning, affordable housing, heritage protection, and urban innovation, with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 11.

Q6. How many passengers does King Khalid International Airport receive annually?

A6. King Khalid International Airport receives around 40 million passengers annually and serves as a gateway to Riyadh, a city spanning more than 5,000 square kilometers.

Q7. Which major development projects did Riyadh highlight in Geneva?

A7. Riyadh highlighted Expo 2030 Riyadh, King Abdulaziz Park, King Salman Stadium, which will host 2034 World Cup matches, and the New Murabba project.

Q8. What heritage and cultural projects were mentioned in the address?

A8. The address cited Diriyah, the King Abdulaziz Historical Center, and the King Fahad National Library as projects reviving heritage and cultural identity in the capital.

Q9. Which environmental and recreational projects were presented?

A9. The municipality presented King Salman Park, the Sports Boulevard, King Abdullah Gardens, and Green Riyadh, which enhance environmental sustainability, health, and quality of life.

Q10. What role does the King Abdullah Financial District play in Riyadh’s plans?

A10. The King Abdullah Financial District is a major business and financial hub within Riyadh’s development portfolio, supporting economic growth alongside residential communities and public transport networks.

Q11. What regulatory efforts did the municipality showcase at the forum?

A11. Riyadh presented its work on urban regulations that strengthen urban identity, consider environmental factors, and limit materials and designs that do not harmonize with the city’s character.

Q12. How does Riyadh’s approach reflect Sustainable Development Goal 11?

A12. Riyadh’s approach places people at the center of development, providing housing and services, promoting health and well-being, supporting economic growth, protecting heritage and the environment, and building inclusive communities.

Q13. What international engagements took place during the municipality’s participation?

A13. The delegation reviewed international experiences in addressing urban challenges and held meetings with heads of international organizations to exchange technical and specialized expertise in sustainable development.

Q14. What commitment did Riyadh Municipality announce at the 2025 forum?

A14. At the fifth edition in 2025, Riyadh Municipality announced its commitment under the “Plant Your Pledge” initiative to planting 50,000 trees in 2026.

Q15. Why is the “Plant Your Pledge” initiative significant?

A15. The initiative expands green spaces, improves quality of life, and combats climate change, aligning with the environmental goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and demonstrating follow-through on international pledges.

Q16. How does Riyadh’s participation support Saudi Vision 2030 targets?

A16. It advances Vision 2030 by sharing urban expertise, attracting international cooperation, supporting economic diversification, improving quality of life, and reinforcing environmental sustainability across the capital.

Q17. What global events will Riyadh host that shape its urban planning?

A17. Riyadh is preparing to host Expo 2030 Riyadh and matches of the 2034 World Cup, which drive upgrades to transport, stadiums, public spaces, and hospitality infrastructure.

Q18. How does the forum benefit Riyadh beyond diplomatic visibility?

A18. The forum allows Riyadh to benchmark its plans against international best practices, build technical partnerships, and refine policies on mobility, housing, heritage, and green infrastructure.

Q19. What message did Eng. Al-Sudairi convey about Riyadh’s development vision?

A19. He affirmed that Riyadh’s efforts reflect an integrated vision placing people at the center of development and embody the city’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Q20. What does Riyadh’s second consecutive year at the forum signal?

A20. It signals a sustained commitment to global urban cooperation and positions Riyadh as an active contributor to international sustainability discussions ahead of Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup.

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