Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat speaks at The Algemeiner’s annual gala in New York City on Thursday.

Jerusalem is experiencing a cultural, spiritual and religious renaissance, the city’s mayor said on Thursday in remarks at The Algemeiner’s fifth annual “J100” Gala in New York City.

Accepting The Algemeiner’s prestigious “Warrior for Truth” award, Nir Barkat — who will soon wrap up a decade-long stint as the mayor of Israel’s capital — said, “Jerusalem is thriving, and all sectors feel part of the growth of the city…Jerusalem today is much more attractive for investors, for young people, for visitors, and Jerusalem is optimistic.”

The 58-year-old Barkat called his time at the helm of Jerusalem’s City Hall the “ten most exciting years of my life.”

“You have not seen the last of me yet,” he said. “I promise, whatever role I take on in the future, you will see me around, committed to the city of Jerusalem and the future of the Jewish people and the truth that we all support.”

Watch Barkat’s speech below: