Dr. Uwe Schneiderwind, Mayor of Wuppertal, Germany, received a delegation from the Palestinian Municipality of Salfit, headed by Mr. Abdul Karim Zubaidi, Mayor of Salfit and President of the Palestinian Federation of Local Authorities, as part of a visit aimed at enhancing cooperation and exchange of expertise between the two municipalities in the fields of water and energy.
The Palestinian delegation included Dr. Ahmed William, Director of the Public Relations Department in the Municipality of Salfit, Engineer Yousef Alqam, Director of the Water and Sanitation Department, and Ms. Marina Shtayyeh, Head of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Laboratory.
With the participation and coordination of Mr. Jamal Mahmoud, President of the Palestinian Friendship Union, and Ms. Ronya Singh, President of the Wuppertal and Salfit Twinning Union, and members of the Friendship and Twinning Association.
During the visit program, the delegation visited the wastewater treatment plant in Wuppertal and learned about the modern technologies used in water treatment and management. It also visited the German company “WSW” for water and energy services, where the company presented a comprehensive presentation on its advanced systems for managing water and energy networks and employee training programs.
The visit also included a meeting with the Engagement Global team at the organization’s headquarters, where the delegation met with Ms. Katrin von Dam, Palestine Project Manager at the Municipal Partnerships Program in the Middle East, Mr. Rashid Jabado, Director of the Municipal Partnerships Office in the Middle East, and Mr. Kurt Budach, Head of the International Municipal Partnerships Department. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance future cooperation and develop sustainable projects that support human resources and infrastructure.
The visit concluded with a meeting with the Palestinian community in the city of Wuppertal, where the delegation discussed the challenges facing Palestinians abroad and their role in supporting the national cause. Mr. Abdul Karim Zubaidi stressed the importance of strengthening cultural and social ties with the people of the homeland, praising the great role played by the community in supporting development projects and contributing to achieving national goals.
At the end of the visit, Mr. Abdul Karim Zubaidi expressed the importance of such visits that contribute to enhancing international cooperation and transferring successful experiences to improve municipal services, especially in the fields of water and energy, in a way that enhances sustainable development and serves the local community.
