Abu Dhabi, July 18, 2023: The Department of Municipalities and Transport has signed a letter of intent to establish Twin City relationships between Abu Dhabi and Beijing, the capital of the friendly People's Republic of China.

The signing took place during the official visit by a delegation from the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), headed by His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the DMT, and a number of officials from the Department. The visit aimed to exchange expertise and learn about the best global practices in the field of municipal work, including supporting the efforts of the Emirate in building a sustainable public transportation system. 
It also aimed to review Abu Dhabi's experience and efforts in the field of smart cities and explore ways to enhance cooperation and partnership, as well as to learn about urban development plans and the latest sustainable transportation solutions.

His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the DMT, said, 'The signing of the letter of intent to establish twinning relations between Abu Dhabi and Beijing is an important step in enhancing cooperation between the two cities. This agreement aims to exchange expertise and collaborate in areas related to urban planning, smart cities, and innovation, and to accelerate progress towards sustainable development and carbon emissions reduction.'

On his part, His Excellency Hussain Al Hammadi, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Beijing, expressed his delight to attend the signing ceremony of the letter of intent and said: 'The signing of the agreement represents a new chapter in the advanced bilateral cooperation and reflects the shared aspirations of the two friendly countries, especially in the areas of sustainable development and urban planning. Through the exchange of expertise between the two parties, we have an opportunity to develop joint initiatives that contribute to accelerating innovation and building smart and environmentally friendly cities.'

During the visit, His Excellency Al Shorafa met with His Excellency Yin Yong, the Mayor of Beijing, and was briefed on the city's urban development master plan for 2040, which presents a futuristic vision for the growth and urban development in the city.