KUWAIT, March 14 (KUNA) -- The Arab Towns Organization (ATO) on Tuesday marks its 49th anniversary under the theme "No sustainable development with resources depletion and migration continue," Secretary General Eng. Ahmad Al-Sabeeh said.
The theme goes in line with the current events and developments in the Arab region, which impede development plans and programs, and in the meantime open the door wide for forced migration and depletion of natural and human resources, Al-Sabeeh added in a press statement on Monday.
The Kuwaiti-based ATO was founded on March 15, 1967, by an initiative from 27 Arab capitals and towns then, he said. Now it includes 550 cities and municipalities.
He noted that the ATO includes six institutions for training, building municipal capabilities, environment and e-government, in addition to the ATO Award and the Arab Towns Development Fund.
Al-Sabeeh voiced appreciation to Kuwait for its support to the ATO since it was established. He also thanked other Arab states hosting ATO affiliates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan and Tunisia. (end) tms.msa