Rabat, June 9, 2026 – The 2026 Arab-African Summit on Territories and Smart Cities officially opens on June 9, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., bringing together in Rabat a prestigious panel of government decision-makers, international experts, researchers, local elected officials, and innovation stakeholders from the Arab world and the African continent. This major event provides a strategic platform dedicated to reflection and action on the challenges of digital transformation, sustainable development, and territorial governance.

The opening ceremony will begin with the welcoming of participants, followed by official speeches moderated by journalist and lecturer Mr. Youssef Belhaissi. Several leading figures will speak to emphasize the importance of strengthening Arab-African cooperation in the face of contemporary urban challenges

Among the speakers are Professor Hassan Radoine, Managing Director and Full Professor at UM6P-CITINNOV; Dr. Coffi Dieudonné Assouvi, Director General of CAFRAD; Ms. Nesreen Namroqa, Director General of the Arab Forum on Smart Cities of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Dr. Mohamed El Fadel Jibrane, Chairperson of the African Union’s Standing Committee for Monitoring Agenda 2063; and Mr. Oumar BA, President of UCLG Africa.

The ceremony will also feature the presentation of the awards for the Pedagogic Arabo-Africa Smart City Challenge 2026, the handover of the torch for the fifth edition of the Pedagogic Arabo-Africa Smart City Congress 2027, the official inauguration of Urban Lab Morocco 2026, and a tour of the exhibition spaces showcasing innovative solutions for smart cities.

The highlight of this opening will be the signing of a strategic partnership in the field of innovative solutions for Smart Cities, illustrating the commitment of institutional and private partners to promote sustainable and inclusive territorial development.

Plenary sessions at the heart of major territorial challenges

The summit’s scientific program is structured around six major thematic plenary sessions covering the key drivers of transformation in Arab and African territories.

Digital Sovereignty as a Driver of Development

The first plenary session, dedicated to the digital sovereignty of territories, will bring together renowned experts to discuss the challenges related to 5G, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The discussions will highlight the opportunities these technologies offer to accelerate economic development and strengthen the institutional resilience of Arab and African countries.

The participation of Ms. Amal EL FALLAH SEGHROUCHNI, Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform of the Kingdom of Morocco, will focus on the strategic importance of digital infrastructure in building the smart territories of tomorrow.

Towards Zero-Carbon Cities

The second plenary session will focus on the ambitions of the energy transition in Arab and African territories. With the participation of Ms. Leila BENALI, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the discussions will explore decarbonization strategies, renewable energies, and support mechanisms for local authorities on their path to carbon neutrality.

Building Resilient Territories

The morning of June 10 will be dedicated to sustainable urban planning, the circular economy, and the rational management of water resources. Speakers will share their experiences in resilient urban planning, sustainable construction, and the preservation of natural resources, which are essential for the resilience of territories in the face of climate change.

Public Health and Social Inclusion

The fourth plenary session will highlight the fundamental role of territorial public health, social protection, and solidarity in building inclusive cities. Emphasis will be placed on the need to integrate health and social dimensions into the heart of urban policies to guarantee a better quality of life for citizens.

Sustainable Mobility and Territorial Security

The afternoon discussions will focus on the challenges of low-carbon urban mobility and territorial security. Participants will examine innovative solutions for reducing the carbon footprint of transportation while improving the safety and flow of movement in African and Arab cities.

Sustainable Mobility and Territorial Security

The afternoon discussions will focus on the challenges of decarbonized urban mobility and territorial security. Participants will examine innovative solutions for reducing the carbon footprint of transportation while improving safety and traffic flow in African and Arab cities.

Territorial Governance and Institutional Effectiveness

The final plenary session will address issues of resilient territorial governance, equity, and administrative efficiency. Presentations will emphasize the need to strengthen citizen participation, decentralization, and inter-territorial cooperation to effectively meet the needs of the population.

A Space for Cooperation and Innovation

Throughout the summit, discussions demonstrate the shared commitment of Arab and African stakeholders to building smart, sustainable, and inclusive territories. The event also fosters the sharing of best practices, the development of strategic partnerships, and the emergence of new initiatives to support territorial development.

The closing ceremony, scheduled for June 10, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., will bring together the summit’s main institutional partners, including the Arab Smart Cities Forum, CAFRAD, UCLG Africa, and INNOVATEL ENGINEERING, to review the summit’s activities and outline future cooperation opportunities.

With this 2026 edition, the Arab-African Summit on Territories and Smart Cities confirms its status as a key event for decision-makers committed to the sustainable transformation of cities and territories in the Arab world and Africa.

CAFRAD’s Outstanding Contribution to Arab-African Cooperation

The participation of the African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD) is a highlight of the 2026 Arab-African Summit on Territories and Smart Cities. Represented by its Director General, Dr. Coffi Dieudonné Assouvi, CAFRAD make a substantial contribution to strategic discussions on territorial governance, digital transformation, and institutional capacity building in Africa. Through its involvement in several plenary sessions, the pan-African institution reaffirmed its commitment to a modern, innovative, and resilient public administration capable of supporting local authorities in their transition to smart and sustainable development models. CAFRAD’s interventions highlight the importance of South-South cooperation, the sharing of experiences between African and Arab countries, and the development of public decision-makers’ skills to address the challenges of digitalization, inclusive governance, and achieving the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Through its active presence and recognized expertise, CAFRAD confirms its role as a strategic partner in building the territories of tomorrow and promoting effective public governance for sustainable development.