By Jocelyn Bogen and Tom McClimon
November 7, 2011

Five U.S. mayors visited Saudi Arabia October 13-20 as guests of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington (DC). The Embassy organized and funded the mission of U.S. mayors, assisted by the Conference of Mayors.

Led by Conference of Mayors Past President Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz, the delegation included mayors Steven Benjamin of Columbia (SC), John Callahan of (Bethlehem) PA, Brenda Lawrence of Southfield (MI), and Arlene Mulder of Arlington Heights (IL). The goal of the delegation was to give U.S. mayors the opportunity to learn first-hand about the Saudi economy, government, educational system, culture, and people, through meetings with high-ranking Saudi government officials, business people, museum officials, and others.

Kautz said, “The United States and Saudi Arabia are long-time friends and allies. This visit was a remarkable opportunity to learn a great deal about Saudi Arabia’s government, economy, educational system, and people. This mission gave U.S. mayors an opportunity to exchange experiences about managing cities in both countries. On behalf of our delegation, I would like to express our great appreciation to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington (DC) for making this experience possible.”

The delegation spent October 14-17 in the capital, Riyadh, located in the central part of the nation. The delegation met with U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia James B. Smith at the U.S. Embassy. Consular staff gave an overview of diplomatic issues and gave mayors insights into the current priorities in the region.

Throughout the visit, the delegation met with a variety of national and local governmental officials, including Riyadh Mayor His Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf Al-Migrin and His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman, Chairman for the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.

In addition, the delegation also met His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Mansour Al Saud, Minister for Development Projects, Municipal and Rural Affairs, who provided an insightful discussion on the role of mayors and how spending is allocated through their national government. Like other officials with whom the delegation met, His Highness expressed great optimism for the continuing strong U.S.'saudi relationship, especially as hundreds of students matriculate at U.S. colleges and universities as part of the King Abdullah Scholarship Program.

On October 17, the mayors met His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Albarak, The Deputy Chairman of the Consultative Council and members of several committees (Saudi Parliament), as well as members of several Consultative Council committees. The Consultative Council proposes new laws and amends existing ones. It consists of 150 members, appointed by the King for four-year terms that can be renewed.

The Saudi Arabia Investment General Authority (SAIGA), www.sagia.gov.sa, gave a detailed presentation on its five-year strategy for investing in “competitive and sustainable economic growth.” Several SAIGA officials, including Amir A. Abdullah al-Dabbagh Governor and Chairman, Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, discussed their mission to position Saudi Arabia among the top ten most competitive nations through the creation of a pro-business environment, a knowledge-based society, and thus be able to develop new, world-class economic cities.

Having gained the authority to cut across and through governmental ministries, SAIGA envisions creation of a multi-modal transportation system, dual language literacy (Arabic and English) for 93 percent of Saudis by the year 2025, realization of a streamlined single-government entity for business licensing and attraction of foreign investment, and creation of new cities that each contain an industrial zone, resort area, educational zone, central business district, and residential areas -”in short, 24-hour cities.”

The mayors met with officials from the Ministry of Interior for Security Affairs, learning about the Association for Social Awareness and Rehabilitation program for men who had been imprisoned in Guantanamo, Cuba. The delegation heard first-hand from Dr. Hameed K. Al'shaygi about how the program rehabilitates former Al-Queda members and seeks to prevent future terrorist/extremist involvement.

Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, Mayor of Jeddah

The last two days were spent in Jeddah, a large seaport in western Saudi Arabia, located on the Red Sea. The delegation started the day with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to learn about the range of services offered to businesses in the area, and about business and investment opportunities in Jeddah. Then, they visited the historic Naseef House and met with Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu-Ras, who shared with the delegation highlights of The Jeddah Strategic Plan, which outlines the direction for Jeddah’s development for the next 20 years.

Mayors also visited Effat University, which is the first university for women in Saudi Arabia. It was established in 1999. Throughout the visit to Saudi Arabia, the mayors were accompanied by Nail A. Al-Jubeir, Director of Information and Congressional Affairs, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington (DC), and Abdullah A. ALakeel of the Information Office.