The first World Forum of Intermediary Cities held from 5 -7 July , 2018 in Chefchaouen (Morocco)  was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Moroccan Government, UN Habitat, the World Organization of Local Governments, UCLG and the umbrella organization for local governments in Africa, UCLG Africa.

This partnership agreement marks the launch of a specific national strategy for intermediary cities: A strategy that will erect these cities as a development and growth catalyst and will set a roadmap for a sustainable development agenda.

The MoU was signed on behalf of:

• The Moroccan Government, by Mr. Abdelahad Fassi Fihri, Minister of National Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and Urban Policy and  Mr. Khalid Safir, Wali, Director General of Local Governments (DGCL) of Interior Ministry,
• UN Habitat, by Ms Zena Ali Ahmed, Director of the Regional Office of Arab Countries at UN Habitat,
• UCLG, by Ms Emilia Saiz, Secretary General of UCLG,
• UCLG Africa, by Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa.

Mr. Mohamed Sefiani, President of the First World Forum of Intermediary Cities and Mayor of Chefchaouen, expressed his pleasure at witnessing the materialization of this act in his city. “This gathering aims to give more support to intermediary cities. It will help to establish national strategies for intermediary cities. It is true that we started with Morocco, but there will be other countries in the world and especially in Africa,” he said.