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Hani Abu Ras

Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras is one step away from winning the World’s Best Mayor contest.

Abu Ras has qualified for the final stages of the award, granted by the City Mayors Foundation. The international research foundation cares about cultural matters and awards its prize every two years, aiming to promote and improve services around the world.

Abu Ras said if he wins the award, it would be a victory for the municipality and its employees. “It would give us more energy to do more work and effort, and this is the most important impact the competition would grant me,” he said.

Abu Ras said he has nothing to say to those who criticize his candidacy for the award. “I appreciate and respect each opinion,” he said.

One of the most important strengths the mayor counts on is the rapid and major changes Jeddah has witnessed thanks to all the major projects, including new roads, bridges, underpasses, public parks, the development of the Corniche and the upcoming public transport project.

This award’s candidacy is subject to assessment under accurate standards and criteria in leadership, vision, administrative capacity, integrity as well as social and economic awareness.

Last month, a royal order granted Abu Ras an extension of his service as the mayor for four more years.

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