Andrew Ginther, Mayor of Columbus, Ohio, and President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and Erragheb Hormatallah, President of Dakhla’s Municipal Council, signed a twinning agreement on Wednesday to strengthen cooperation in culture, education, sustainable development, and tourism.
“We are thrilled to visit Dakhla for the first time and establish what we hope will be long-lasting, meaningful connections with the Moroccan people,” Ginther said.
Ginther spotlighted the potential for mutual learning in areas such as sustainable development and cultural exchange, which the agreement seeks to foster. Both leaders highlighted the significance of sharing best practices and exploring collaborative opportunities in areas like education, tourism, and environmental governance.
The agreement was commended for opening “promising prospects” that will benefit the populations of both cities, particularly through the exchange of knowledge and resources. The cities’ representatives also agreed to co-organize events and promote large-scale economic development initiatives.
Following the signing, the American delegation received an in-depth presentation by Mounir Houari, Director of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Regional Investment Center.
The presentation addressed major development projects in the region, including the Dakhla Atlantic Port and a significant seawater desalination initiative set to irrigate 5,000 hectares of agricultural land. The projects are designed to transform Dakhla into a trade and sustainable agriculture hub.
Jim Ross, Mayor of Arlington, Texas, also attended the event as well as local officials and members of the Moroccan and U.S. delegations.