Arab ministers discuss urban development in Morocco

Rabat, Dec 21 :  The second Arab Ministerial Forum on Housing and Urban Development opened here on Thursday to discuss implementation of new urban development plan in the Arab world.

The forum serves as a platform to discuss new approaches to issues associated with housing aimed at achieving balanced, sustainable development and improving the living conditions of Arabs.

In a message to the participants, Morocco's King Mohammed VI said the choice of theme confirms Arab collective commitment to carry out the urban agendas and to support the 2030 agenda so as to achieve the sustainable development goals.

The king said that Arab cities were confronted with pressing challenges, calling for efficient cooperation based on the exchange of experiences and best practices as well as capacity-building.

He urged for the development of a common vision for a full-fledged urban development system based on exploratory action and rational exploitation of the resources.

"Such a system should help make the urban network balanced again, increase its ability to adapt to different economic, social, environmental, political and technological changes and reduce the gap between urban areas, marginalized neighbourhoods and rural areas," he said.