The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities- APLA signed a new cooperation agreement with the Barcelona City Council under the framework of the "Catalan–Palestinian Municipal Initiative, District 11: Cities of Palestine", as part of a trilateral partnership bringing together APLA, the Barcelona City Council, and the Barcelona Provincial Council.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Abdul Karim Zubaydi, President of APLA, and Ms. Maria Eugènia Gay Rosell, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council for International Relations, in the presence of Mr. Antoni Montseny Domènech, Director of International Relations at the Barcelona Provincial Council, Mr. Abdallah Anati, Executive Director of APLA, along with representatives and staff members from both APLA and the Barcelona City Council.
During the signing ceremony, Mr. Abdul Karim Zubaydi expressed his appreciation for Spain and Catalonia for their supportive positions toward the Palestinian people, noting that such support “is not merely symbolic, but represents tangible support at both the national and local levels, particularly at a time when Palestinian LGUs are facing increasing pressure in addressing complex political, economic, and social challenges”.
He further stated that “this agreement represents a starting point toward a shared understanding that sustainable development, democratic governance, and social unity begin at the local level, and that it serves as a model for decentralized cooperation based on solidarity and shared values”.
For her part, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council Ms. Maria Eugènia Gay Rosell stated that “the agreement represents a message of political support for Palestinian LGUs and reflects the Barcelona City Council’s commitment to expanding avenues of cooperation with them in Palestine in order to build pathways for joint action.” She added that this agreement opens a new chapter in Catalan–Palestinian relations.
This agreement includes three main components, coordinating and organizing technical exchange between Palestinian municipalities and their counterparts in Catalonia to facilitate the transfer of expertise and knowledge in areas such as urban planning, environment, water, local economic development, and entrepreneurship; implementing a joint municipal cooperation project in Palestine aimed at improving services, facilities, and public spaces; and strengthening decentralized cooperation and municipal diplomacy through the development of municipal partnerships and twinning initiatives, the launch of a digital platform for communication and shared learning, and the organization of an annual joint solidarity week to enhance Palestinian visibility at the international level and support advocacy efforts.