By Jocelyn Bogen and Tom McClimon
December 7, 2009

Five U.S. mayors visited Saudi Arabia, November 5'12 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 Columbus (OH) Mayor Michael Coleman, the delegation included mayors Virginia DuPuy, Waco (TX); Timothy J. Davlin, Springfield (IL); Bob Foster, Long Beach (CA); and Scott Smith, Mesa (AZ). Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran accompanied the delegation.

The goal 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, businesspeople, high school and college students, museum officials, and others.

Coleman 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 November 6'8, in the capital, Riyadh, located in the central part of the nation. The work week in Saudi is Saturday through Wednesday. Thus, on Saturday, November 7, the delegation met with a variety of national and local governmental officials, including His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman, Chairman for the Saudi Commision for Tourism and Antiquities.

The mayors met His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Albarak, 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.

Mayors received a presentation from the Ministry of Health, which outlined H1N1 prevention efforts utilized by health officials in preparation for the three million visitors who travel to Mecca in December from all over the globe. The delegation concluded the day with a visit with His Highness Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, Minister of Education.

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.

Sunday: U.S. Embassy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Acting Governor of Riyadh, Mayor of Riyadh

The delegation met on November 8 with The 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.

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. His Excellency Dr. Abdulaziz Khoujah, Minister of Culture and Information, discussed the history of cultural exchanges with America and suggested ways mayors can host local Saudi culture exhibitions in their cities.

The last two meetings of the morning were with His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al'Faisal, the Minister of Foreign Affairs who briefly discussed the history of U.S.'Saudi diplomatic relations and the role of the Kingdom in working with other middle eastern countries. At the end of the afternoon, the delegation met His Royal Highness Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz, Acting Governor of Riyadh Province.

Development of Economic Cities Projected

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 Seema Khan, Chief Strategy Officer, explained that their goal is to forcefully demonstrate that Saudi is pro'business – "the best place to do business" – the goal is to attract major foreign investment and funding from major international institutions, such as the World Bank; ensure development of a knowledge'based society; and thus be able to establish 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 and Dr. Amad Alyami about how the program rehabilitates former Al'Queda members and seeks to prevent future terrorist/extremist involvement. Through a question and answer session the delegation members spoke with two of the program participants who shared their experiences since returning, and how the program is assisting them with their reintegration with families, employment and society.

Monday: Eastern Province: Schools, Shiba Oil Field

The delegation traveled to the Eastern Province for Monday meetings, where the mayors met the U.S. Consul General Joseph A. Kenny in Damman, visited Dhahran Ahliyya Schools in the morning, viewed the Aramco Exhibit, and flew to the Empty Quarter to view the Shiba oil field.

Larger than France or Texas, the Empty Quarter is the largest area covered by sand on earth, considered one of the most remote and isolated regions in the world. Shiba was discovered in 1968 but only developed in the 1990's when horizontal drilling technology emerged. It is a major Saudi oil and natural gas'producing facility.

Tuesday: Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, Mayor of Jeddah

The last two days were spent in Jeddah, a large seaport in western Saudi, located on the Red Sea. The delegation started the day with a visit to the historic Naseef House. Then they met 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.

The mayor's met with His Excellency Adel Fakeih, Mayor of Jeddah, who shared with the delegation highlights of The Jeddah Strategic Plan, which outlines the direction for Jeddah's development for the next 20 years.

The delegation visited the Help Center on Wednesday November 11, established in November 1985, to provide broad services and care to children with mental disabilities. Since its founding, the Center has provided services to more than 3,000 children with the goal of encouraging social, communication, and self'help skills.

The mayors then visited His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al'Faisal, the Governor, of Makkah (Mecca) Province, who described a newly started regional project to link the holy sites of Mecca and Medina through rail via Jeddah. This project is designed to facilitate and manage the movement of the three million pilgrims who come to worship annually for hajj.

Throughout the visit to Saudi Arabia the mayors were accompanied by Dr. Abdulmohsen Alyas, Deputy Director of Information, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Washington (DC), and Abdullah A. Alakeel of the Information Office.