10:06 pm - February 15, 2026
The emirate signs an MoU with the Urban Economy Forum to advance Goal 11, integrating innovative AI tools and community engagement strategies to position itself as a model for sustainable growth in the UAE and beyond.
His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council and the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, recently saw the signing of an important memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and the Urban Economy Forum. This global platform is dedicated to promoting sustainable urban development, and the signing took place at Saqr bin Mohammed City Palace. During the event, Sheikh Saud welcomed a delegation led by Reza Pourvaziry, who is the CEO of the Urban Economy Forum, along with several senior municipal officials.
The main goal of the MoU is to strengthen cooperation in working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially focusing on Goal 11, aimed at making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This agreement is a major stride toward establishing Ras Al Khaimah’s leadership, both within the UAE and on the international stage, as a model for sustainable urban growth.
As announced, the partnership seeks to develop a detailed urban development plan for Ras Al Khaimah, set up an innovative platform to boost collaboration between government and private sectors, and create a secretariat to oversee the governance and execution of urban sustainability projects. The MoU also includes initiatives like local capacity-building programs, community awareness campaigns, and efforts to enhance the emirate’s international profile in sustainable city development.
Some key elements outlined in the MoU involve preparing an urban assessment report and creating a “Ras Al Khaimah Vision 2040” with input from the community. Additionally, there’s a plan to develop an AI-powered smart dashboard to monitor progress towards sustainability targets. Workshops and training sessions will be organized for officials and community leaders, aiming to deepen understanding and commitment to these sustainability goals.
Globally speaking, SDG 11 is recognized as critically important because urbanization continues to accelerate. Since 2007, more than half the world’s population has been living in cities. Urban areas contribute around 60% of the world’s GDP but are also responsible for roughly 70% of carbon emissions and consume a significant portion of resources. Rapid urban growth presents challenges like sprawling informal settlements, strained infrastructure, air pollution, and poorly planned expansion, issues that this SDG seeks to address by advocating for cities that are inclusive, resilient, and safe.
The United Nations points out that by 2050, nearly 70% of people worldwide are expected to live in cities. This underscores the increasing importance of sustainable urban planning. Even though some progress has been made since the SDGs were adopted in 2015, many hurdles remain, such as limited access to reliable public transport, rising inequality, and environmental harm within urban environments everywhere.
So, the partnership between Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and the Urban Economy Forum comes at just the right time. It’s a strategic move aimed at leveraging innovation in financing, sharing knowledge, and empowering communities. This aligns well with the broader goals of the UAE’s national vision and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Essentially, Ras Al Khaimah is positioning itself as a pioneer in developing sustainable urban models on a global scale.
By actively working towards Goal 11 through this partnership, Ras Al Khaimah is not only tackling urban challenges broadly but also supporting the UAE Vision 2040. That vision emphasizes economic diversification, improving quality of life, and protecting the environment, principles that line up closely with what’s outlined in the MoU.
All in all, the agreement that Sheikh Saud witnessed signifies a major step forward in the emirate’s journey towards sustainable urban development. It harnesses international cooperation and cutting-edge technology, like AI, to monitor progress and inspire sustainable growth. Plus, this approach could easily serve as a benchmark for other cities in the region eager to balance rapid development with environmental care and social inclusiveness.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.urdupoint.com/en/middle-east/rak-ruler-witnesses-mou-signing-between-rak-m-2082060.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2025/11/11/d30 – His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and the Urban Economy Forum. The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities. The signing ceremony took place at Saqr bin Mohammed City Palace, with a delegation led by Reza Pourvaziry, CEO of the Urban Economy Forum, present. ([sharjah24.ae](https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2025/11/11/d30?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.onearabia.me/business/rak-municipality-urban-economy-forum-mou-signing-011-130485.html – His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, observed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and the Urban Economy Forum. This global platform is committed to promoting sustainable urban development. The MoU aims to enhance collaboration in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities. The agreement was signed at Saqr bin Mohammed City Palace, where H.H. Sheikh Saud welcomed a delegation led by Reza Pourvaziry, CEO of the Urban Economy Forum, along with several senior municipal officials. ([onearabia.me](https://www.onearabia.me/business/rak-municipality-urban-economy-forum-mou-signing-011-130485.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://iraq.un.org/en/sdgs/11 – Sustainable Development Goal 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The world is becoming increasingly urbanized, with more than half the global population living in cities since 2007. Cities and metropolitan areas are powerhouses of economic growth, contributing about 60 per cent of global GDP. However, they also account for about 70 per cent of global carbon emissions and over 60 per cent of resource use. Rapid urbanization is resulting in a growing number of slum dwellers, inadequate and overburdened infrastructure and services, worsening air pollution, and unplanned urban sprawl. The impact of COVID-19 will be most devastating in poor and densely populated urban areas, especially for the one billion people living in informal settlements and slums worldwide. ([iraq.un.org](https://iraq.un.org/en/sdgs/11?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/ – Goal 11 promotes sustainable urban development to create inclusive, safe, and resilient cities. Cities are centres of innovation and economic growth but also face challenges like poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. The world’s population reached 8 billion in 2022, with over half living in urban areas. This figure is expected to rise, with 70 per cent of people projected to live in cities by 2050. However, many of these cities are not ready for this rapid urbanisation, leading to issues such as slums, urban sprawl, air pollution, and limited open public spaces. Good progress has been made since the implementation of the SDGs in 2015, but challenges remain, including limited access to public transport. ([un.org](https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.pakistanpoint.com/en/story/2082060/rak-ruler-witnesses-mou-signing-between-rak-municipalit.html – His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and the Urban Economy Forum, a global platform dedicated to advancing sustainable urban development. The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to reinforce Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a leading model in achieving Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities. The signing took place at Saqr bin Mohammed City Palace, where H.H. Sheikh Saud received a delegation led by Reza Pourvaziry, Chief Executive Officer of the Urban Economy Forum, in the presence of several senior municipal officials. ([pakistanpoint.com](https://www.pakistanpoint.com/en/story/2082060/rak-ruler-witnesses-mou-signing-between-rak-municipalit.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://unitedarabemirates.un.org/en/sdgs/11 – Sustainable Development Goal 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The United Nations and its partners are supporting eight activities for Sustainable Development Goal 11 out of a total of 52 activities. ([unitedarabemirates.un.org](https://unitedarabemirates.un.org/en/sdgs/11?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being November 11, 2025. Multiple reputable outlets, including Sharjah24 ([sharjah24.ae](https://sharjah24.ae/en/Articles/2025/11/11/d30?utm_source=openai)) and Pakistan Point News ([pakistanpoint.com](https://www.pakistanpoint.com/en/story/2082060/rak-ruler-witnesses-mou-signing-between-rak-municipalit.html?utm_source=openai)), have reported on the MoU signing on the same date. The presence of updated data and the absence of earlier versions suggest a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes are present in the provided narrative. The information is paraphrased from official sources, indicating originality and exclusivity.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from UrduPoint, a news outlet that aggregates content from various sources. While it provides timely information, its reputation for original reporting is less established compared to outlets like Sharjah24 or Pakistan Point News. The lack of direct quotes and reliance on paraphrased content may affect the overall reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the MoU signing and its objectives align with information from other reputable outlets. The narrative includes specific details about the MoU’s goals, such as enhancing cooperation in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reinforcing Ras Al Khaimah’s position in achieving Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities. The absence of direct quotes and reliance on paraphrased content may affect the overall reliability.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with no evidence of recycled content. The absence of direct quotes and reliance on paraphrased information suggest originality. While the source’s reliability is slightly lower due to its aggregation nature, the plausibility of the claims is supported by other reputable outlets. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.
