ATO conf. supports human rights of productive life

AMMAN, June 25 (KUNA) -- The 18th General Conference of the Arab Towns Organization (ATO) conference on Tuesday acknowledged the right to a healthy and productive life in cities and human settlements, in accordance with social values and religious principles of justice, peace and respect.
The conference suggested the contribution of mayors and secretaries of Arab capitals to build local capacities as part of national development plans, underlining the job-intensive growth that integrates all sectors.
They also recommended to adopt voluntary work within programs and strategies by ATO and its institutions, considering that cities are essential for community service and platforms for innovation.
Local administrations played an effective role in reviving economic development, providing the best services, achieving sustainable development, strengthening social cohesion and establishing real partnerships that benefits the communities and cities.
Encouraging cities to invest in technology and the digital economy through cooperation between the public and private sectors to contribute to the development of knowledge in the shadow of the huge technological development in order to intellectualize cities.
Arab cities have become the focus of achievements and competition to major cities in the world, with plans and programs that are consistent with the sustainable development agenda until 2030, said ATO Secretary-General Ahmad Hamad Al-Sabeeh.
Al-Sabeeh said the development process can be achieved through joining efforts, openness to gain experience and benefitting from successful experiences to cope with the rapid changes surrounding social, environmental and economic transformations.
The teamwork of Arab cities and municipalities will achieve sustainability, prosperity, security and stability, making it safe and livable, he said.
On another point, Amman's Mayor Yousef Al Shawarbeh underlined the importance of adopting executive plans to promote Arab cities and services provided to inhabitants, pointing out the role of the ATO as an example of Arab cooperation and partnership with the private sector.
On the sidelines of the conference, ATO's Secretary-General told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the results of the conference are consistent with the vision and agenda of the sustainable development until 2030, which Arab cities will follow-up this methodology.
Partakers discussed issues of Arab cities, especially regarding the objectives of sustainable development, challenges and changes facing towns, as well as two workshops on topics such as artificial intelligence and the Internet to sustain cities through knowledge management.
ATO is a regional non-profit, governmental organization, specializing in matters of cities and municipalities, established in Kuwait in 1967 to preserve the heritage of Arab cities, modernizing municipal and local institutions, seeking to improve services and facilities to develop them and help member cities on achieving their development projects by providing them with loans and aid. (end) ab.lr