Under the patronage of His Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Ayaf, Riyadh Municipality’s Secretary, an official signing ceremony was held in Riyadh between Riyadh Municipality and the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP).

According to this agreement, Riyadh was selected as the host city for the 61st World Planning Congress.

Eng. Hussein Al-Sudairi, Deputy Secretary of Riyadh Municipality for Urban Planning, emphasized that hosting this conference crowns the capital’s growing engagement in international forums related to urban planning and development. He noted that through this event, the Municipality aims to strengthen global partnerships, empower national talents, and benefit from international expertise in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.

The signing ceremony was attended on behalf of ISOCARP by Ms. Elizabeth Pilbair, President; Mr. Frank Dundt, Secretary General; and Mr. Markus Appenzeller, Treasurer.

This agreement reflects Riyadh’s achievements in urban development and aligns with Vision 2030’s priority to develop highly efficient cities with integrated, sustainable living environments.

The ISOCARP World Planning Congress — one of the foremost international events in city and regional planning — will take place from December 1 to 4, 2025, highlighting Riyadh’s urban transformation and its ambition to become a global leader in smart and sustainable development.

The 2025 ISOCARP Congress, themed “Cities and Regions in Motion,” invites participants to analyze, discuss, and explore new urban and regional planning pathways aimed at improving citizens’ quality of life.

The congress represents a unique opportunity to elevate the status of urban planning as a science and practice, leveraging Riyadh’s rising global standing.

It will spotlight Riyadh’s progress as a regional model in managing population growth and implementing innovative urban solutions.

ISOCARP is a prominent international network of urban and regional planning experts, comprising over 700 practitioners from more than 90 countries.

Since its inception in 1965, the annual congress has been held in cities exemplifying leading urban development practices, including Toronto, Brussels, Doha, Jakarta, Rotterdam, Durban, Portland (USA), and Oslo. Recent editions took place in Siena, Italy, and alongside the first International New Cities Conference in New Clark City, Philippines, in 2024.

Hosting the ISOCARP World Planning Congress aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to transform Riyadh into a sustainable global city and demonstrates Riyadh Municipality’s commitment to knowledge exchange, localization of global expertise, and showcasing Riyadh’s urban development journey as a regional inspirational model.

This prestigious international event provides a strategic platform for sharing best global urban planning practices, enhancing Riyadh’s regional and international profile, and exploring innovative solutions to urgent challenges such as rapid urban expansion, climate change, and achieving resilient, inclusive growth.

ISOCARP’s activities focus on emerging urban trends including revitalizing neglected spaces, promoting sustainable urban density, and integrating heritage and culture into future development projects.

The congress will also explore effective integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in urban planning practices.

The main conference sessions will be complemented by distinctive events such as the Young Planning Professionals program (YPP), specialized masterclasses, award ceremonies, capacity-building workshops, and site visits to landmark urban projects in Riyadh.

The congress invites urban planners, academics, practitioners, and government officials to participate in this global gathering to share solutions and strategies for building a sustainable and resilient urban future. ISOCARP also welcomes strategic partnerships with regional entities in the Middle East to collaborate on achieving innovative and sustainable urban development goals.

To learn more about ISOCARP’s mission and objectives, please visit:
https://isocarp.org/mission-objectives/