As a key partner in the Marmara Urban Forum (MARUF’25), the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) marked a strong presence and active participation in the Palestine Pavilion at the Urban Expo. Side by side with significant contributions to the MARUF’25 sessions, APLA held a special session that highlighted Palestinian experience in local government and localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These efforts were designed to reinforce the visibility of Palestinians as a central player in the MARUF’25 agenda and global dialog on the future of cities.
The Urban Expo provided a pivotal platform for showcasing Palestinian initiatives and projects. APLA presented a range of development models led by municipalities across various sectors, affirming the ability of Palestinian local government units (LGUs) to continue operating and enhancing services despite restrictions and complex conditions. The exhibition served as a hub for networking and experience sharing with international delegations.
In the main session on Cities in Times of War, Dr. Riyadh Awadh, Mayor of Tulkarm, made an intervention on the reality of Palestinian cities under occupation and in the shadow of wars. Awadh highlighted the dual challenge of protecting the population while ensuring the continuity of public services. The presentation offered a direct field testimony of urban resilience in one of the world’s most complex environments.
Organized by APLA, the special session, Cities That Listen, Cities That Lead: Stories from Palestinian Frontlines, was moderated by Oday al-Ja’bari, local governance expert at the Belgian Agency for International Development (Enabel). The panel brought together Abdul Karim al-Zubeidi, APLA President, Dr. Riyadh Awadh, Mayor of Tulkarem, Salah Haniyyeh, Deputy Mayor of Ramallah, and Eng. Abdallah Anati, APLA Executive Director. It focused on Palestinian experiences in community-based planning and SDG localization, offering a realistic picture of municipalities’ role in safeguarding social fabric and promoting community engagement.
On the international level, APLA actively participated in the Union of Municipalities meeting, which brought together representatives from networks across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Eng. Abdallah Anati, APLA Executive Director, laid out the Palestinian position on issues of local democracy and municipal diplomacy. Anati emphasized that Palestine was not a marginal actor in these discussions, but a contributor helping to shape global agenda and direction.
Palestinian experience was also spotlighted in the Livable Cities session, Eng. Abdul Mu’min Afaneh, Head of the APLA Technical and Legal Support Unit, presented a case study on the Promotion of Transparency and Accountability in Palestinian LGUs project, reflecting a practical step to institutionalize integrity and good governance.
This participation is part of APLA’s ongoing efforts and strategic programs to strengthen the presence of Palestinian LGUs on the international stage and connect local experiences to the global governance and sustainable development agenda. It was supported by Enabel and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through the Strengthening Local Governance in Palestine Through Policy Frameworks and Community Participation project, funded by the Transparency, Evidence, and Accountability (TEA3) program.
