Marmara Urban Forum (MARUF’25)

The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) is participating as a key partner in the Marmara Urban Forum (MARUF’25), held in Istanbul – Türkiye, representing Palestine in one of the world’s most prominent platforms on the future of cities and local governance.

Areas of Participation

• Palestine Booth at the Urban Expo: A main platform to showcase the experiences of Palestinian municipalities and APLA’s initiatives in local development and resilience.
• Main Session – Cities at Wartime: Participation of H.E. Dr. Riyad Awad, Mayor of Tulkarem, highlighting the resilience of Palestinian cities under war and occupation. [Session link here]
• APLA’s Special Session: A session led by APLA as a key partner of the forum, dedicated to presenting national efforts in localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within local policies and highlighting practical municipal models. [Session link: click here]
• Meeting of Municipal Associations: Participation of APLA’s Executive Director, Eng. Abdallah Anati, in the meeting of municipal associations held on the sidelines of the forum, alongside global municipal associations, reaffirming APLA’s role as an active partner in shaping international municipal dialogues. [Session link here]
• Project Showcase: A dedicated corner to present the Project on Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Local Government Units, as a practical experience reflecting municipalities’ commitment to integrity, openness to the community, and effective citizen participation as pillars of good governance. [Link here]
• Participation in Other Forum Sessions: APLA’s active presence in various discussions, bringing forward the collective voice of Palestinian municipalities in international debates on sustainability, governance, and municipal cooperation.