The Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA) will lead a delegation of municipal executives with senior members of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Western Region Municipalities to the World Cities Summit 2008.

The event will be hosted in Singapore from June 23 to 25.

The WCS will be the most significant senior executive municipal delegation to visit Asia for an event or conference of this nature; presenting an unprecedented opportunity to exchange experiences with international counterparts for improving quality of service for the citizens of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

World Cities Summit 2008 is a ‘top-level’ international conference series on effective public governance and sustainable development of cities. The inaugural event in 2008 will be attended by municipal and government officials from all over the world and under the theme "Liveable and Vibrant Cities", the WCS will focus on urban development and environmental sustainability issues.

The conference will feature internationally renowned academic thinkers and distinguished practitioners who will share valuable insights and practical experiences. It will address municipal issues and perspectives from professional practitioners, while showcasing global best practices.

“As the Emirate of Abu Dhabi accelerates in growth and advancement, the need to meet and liaise with professionals of other leading cities who share common issues and challenges is a priority. Public managers must continue to engage in active dialogue by participating in international forums such as the WCS to exchange ideas and learn for others,” said undersecretary, DMA, Ahmed Shareef.

To maximise the learning opportunities while in Singapore, the DMA structured two parallel ‘Study Tours’ to follow the WCS, in partnership with selected Singapore governmental agencies, the Civil Service College and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

The Study Tours will focus on current challenges facing the Abu Dhabi municipal system such as effective management of public-private partnerships (PPP) and the establishment and continuation of customer service excellence. – TradeArabia News Service