The second Euro-Arab Cities Forum, held in Malaga (Spain) the 25th and 26th February 2011, gathered approximately 200 representatives of European and Arabic cities. The Forum, entitled "Experiences of Cooperation and Prospects for Facing Common Challenges", focused mainly on governance, sustainable city development and the impact of the financial crisis. On this issue, the Forum Declaration makes a special mention to the UCLG GOLD II report on local finance.
The Spanish Secretary of State for Cooperation, and other speakers, insisted on the role of cities in the current political context and their role in reinforcing cooperation in order to satisfy the needs of citizens.
Members of UCLG took part in the conference, as well as other key actors such as the UNDP, the European Investment Bank and a number of universities. The Forum was organised at the invitation of the City of Malaga in partnership with the European Section of UCLG (CEMR), the Arab Towns Organisation, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and the COPPEM (Standing Committee for the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership of Local and Regional Authorities).