Minister receives ACO official

Manama, Apr. 19 (BNA): Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam bin Abdullah Khalaf rhas eceived the Arab Cities Organisation (ACO)'s secretary-general , Ahmed Al Subaih, in the presence of the Ministry's Undersecretary Dr. Nabeel Mohammed Abulfateh, and the Capital General Secretariat's Director-general Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. During the meeting, the minister affirmed the Arab Cities Organisation (ACO) pioneering role in uplifting municipal work by raising the standard of municipal services and facilities and adopting comprehensive planning method to steer cities development on the basis of their economic, societal, environmental and cultural reality and striven to modernize and develop municipal institutions and to develop municipal legislations to maintain sustainable development of Arab cities. The minister praised ACO's efforts through its various institutions in boosting the cooperation between Arab cities in a bid to develop them sustainably. He said the Kingdom of Bahrain at the directives of its leadership has striven to uplift municipal work whilst boosting the people's participation through the Capital secretariat and municipal councils which represent citizens in setting priorities and contribution in decision-making in municipal work and overall urban development. For his part, ACO's secretary-general praised the Kingdom of Bahrain's modern urban development which did not disregard the preservation of local heritage features and provides a sustainable health living environment by increasing green spaces. He cited ACO's heeding the issues of its cities and persistent effort to revive them at all levels of heritage, architecture, environment, urbanization, and preservation of the inclusiveness and sustainability of such development. He lauded the support and cooperation being received by the Organisation from the Kingdom of Bahrain's government. In conclusion of the meeting, the minister thanked the Organisation's general secretariat for its persistent efforts, welcoming them in their second home, the Kingdom of Bahrain.