Distinguished Representatives of Local and Regional Governments,
As the UCLG family, we now have an extremely broad, inclusive and multi-layered global network that brings together local and regional governments from all corners of the world. At the heart of this network lies the principle of "leaving no one and no place behind". Our determination to bring together cities, regions and governance traditions of different scales around a common vision is a natural consequence of this understanding.
The resulting inclusive network structure and shared vision have also guided UCLG's institutional development process. As we mark the 122nd year of our municipal movement and the 22nd year of our Union, we have adopted as our core mission the further strengthening and visibility of the role of local and regional governments within the global system. In this regard, we have put further emphasis on making local and regional governments more effective actors on a global scale. A rapid, balanced, inclusive and sustainable decision-making approach formed the basis of this goal. This adopted approach has significantly expanded UCLG's sphere of influence on a global scale while reinforcing its institutional capacity.
A concrete reflection of this quest for institutional transformation was presented at the World Congress held in Daejeon in 2022. With the aim of strengthening inclusiveness and balance in representation, a rotating presidency system, involving all presidential candidates, was implemented at this congress. This model has been an important and pragmatic experience in reflecting the pluralistic and inclusive character of UCLG.
However, the experience gained during the implementation process has also revealed certain structural limitations. The intense local and national agendas of the presidents have naturally limited the time and focus they could devote to UCLG activities. Over time, it was also experienced that the rotating presidency mechanism has struggled to deliver the expected effectiveness and continuity.
Assessments conducted within this framework have revealed the need to re-examine the structure of the presidency in terms of its sustainability and capacity for focus. It has been concluded that a presidency model that can focus strongly on UCLG's institutional goals and ensure continuity, beyond the management of one's own city, would produce more effective and efficient results. A sustainable approach to the presidency enables the consistent pursuit of strategic priorities, the strengthening of institutional memory, and an increase in the effectiveness and consistency of UCLG's global representation.
The aim of this approach developed within this framework is not to weaken inclusiveness. On the contrary, it is to establish UCLG's strong network structure and participatory governance mechanisms on a more solid institutional foundation. Within this structure, I believe that a sustainable and focused presidency will take UCLG's role as the global voice of local and regional governments to the next level.
UCLG can only maintain its position as an effective and reliable actor on a global scale by establishing a strong, transparent and continuous harmony between political leadership and institutional structure. In this context, the fundamental basis of this process is that the presidency acts in accordance with a working approach based on open communication with the Secretariat, Regional Organisations and all governing bodies, founded on mutual trust and focused on common goals.
With this understanding, throughout my term of office, I have adopted a management model that worked closely with the UCLG Secretariat, clearly defined strategic priorities, ensured the feasibility of decisions taken, and produced concrete results. I have prioritised ensuring strong coordination between the Executive Board, Policy Councils and regional structures so that decisions were reflected in the field and resonated with members.
This results-oriented approach to work reflects a governance philosophy that does not merely make decisions but also actively follows up on them, emphasises impact analysis, and can be flexibly updated in line with needs. As I have emphasised in the manifesto I shared with you at the Daejeon Congress: My fundamental aim is to further strengthen UCLG's institutional capacity, to respond to our members' expectations in a timely and effective manner, and to reinforce the global credibility of our Union.
In the coming period, I am determined to continue working in full harmony with the Secretariat and governing bodies, maintaining a leadership approach based on collective wisdom, accountability, and measurable results. I wholeheartedly believe that this approach will transform UCLG into a more effective, visible, and powerful global actor.
Indeed, UCLG's true strength lies in its capacity to bring together different regions and priorities under one roof. Therefore, the coexistence of different geographies, cultures and management approaches is our Union's most important asset. Preserving this diversity and transforming it into a shared value depends on the presidency acting with an inclusive, balanced and unifying leadership approach.
In line with this understanding, I have adopted an approach that takes into account regional differences and the changing needs of our members throughout my term of office. I have taken care to act with an understanding that focuses on the common good, without excluding any region or opinion. Within the broad UCLG family, stretching from large cities to small local governments, from North to South, I have carefully ensured that every member's voice is heard and that this voice is meaningfully reflected in decision-making processes.
This unifying approach to the presidency also aims to strike a fair balance between different priorities, to build consensus around common goals, and to strengthen the institutional integrity of UCLG. In the coming period, we will continue to view our diversity not as a cause for division, but as the fundamental source of our collective strength. With this understanding, we are determined to lead UCLG towards a stronger future in unity.
I believe that a strong presidency means a strong UCLG and strong local governments. With this understanding, I submit my candidacy for the UCLG Presidency for the 2026–2029 term to your esteemed consideration, with the aim of continuing a unifying and inclusive leadership approach that balances different regions and priorities, and further advancing UCLG's institutional capacity and global impact.
With a management approach based on collective wisdom, sustainability and results-orientation, we are determined to make UCLG stronger together and local and regional governments more effective at the global level.
Today, our world is under the simultaneous pressure of multiple crises, such as conflicts, forced migration, economic fluctuations, climate-related disasters, and increasing social fragility. In such a scenario, local governments are not merely administrative units that provide services, but the main actors in areas where social resilience, a culture of coexistence and peace are established in daily life.
In this regard, we certainly value the decisive role of national governments in establishing peace and ending conflicts. However, we would also like to draw attention to the following point with the same clarity: national governments are often slow to prevent conflicts and manage tensions before they escalate, as the first signs of risk emerge not on diplomatic platforms but in local neighbourhoods within cities. It should not be forgotten that early warning signals, social cohesion and everyday peace are first seen, read, and managed by cities.
As a mayor, I see peace not in agreement texts, but when the water is running and children can go to the market or school on their own. Therefore, we argue that peace cannot be reduced to agreements made only at the national level; peace is primarily preserved and built locally, in our cities. Healing wounds, repairing social bonds, and restarting normalisation are also largely the responsibility of cities.
The language of peace must primarily be principled and consistent. Our approach is not one that shifts with daily fluctuations, but a universal line based on human dignity. In conflicting environments, it is not only structures that suffer the most damage but the mutual trust of societies and their will to live together. For this reason, cities play a central role in ensuring social reintegration and normalisation.
Being "resolute" means demonstrating unwavering determination in the pursuit of the desired vision and not compromising on the courage to do what is right for the social good, regardless of the obstacles. Being "resilient" refers to maintaining uninterrupted local services, protecting vulnerable groups and strengthening social solidarity. Being "relevant" implies ensuring that the policies and institutional tools developed are fully aligned with the real issues on the ground.
Within UCLG, we aim to make the "Peace and Reconstruction" agenda an area of institutional capacity. In this way, we will increase preventive peace capacity through city-to-city learning, twinning between local governments, joint project production, and rapid technical support mechanisms.
This capacity of cities should not remain merely a "good practice" recognised locally; it should also become a recognised representative power within the global system. This transformation is contingent upon the legitimacy of the solutions brought by mayors from the field gaining global recognition.
UCLG's institutional reputation is the fundamental key to ensuring that this knowledge becomes a visible, credible, and effective actor on the world stage.
Peace is not merely the absence of conflict. Peace is the presence of a sense of justice, fairness, equal opportunities, and a decent life. Where inequalities deepen, tensions rise; where exclusion increases, polarisation grows; where hope is lost, peace weakens.
The national level often produces solutions when the crisis grows; however, the dynamics that fuel the crisis—such as unemployment, housing crises, spatial segregation, discrimination, and inequitable access to services—emerge in cities. Cities' equity-based policies are the most effective way to preserve peace.
For this reason, we strongly advocate three diplomatic principles:
We see the representation of cities for justice and peace not as a "local demand" but as a global necessity. This representation from the local level is based on the same principle everywhere in the world: human dignity, access to services, and inclusiveness. Therefore, the voice of cities must find a stronger and more systematic place in global institutions.
Rebuilding cities affected by conflict is not just about concrete and steel. Rebuilding, in fact, means re-establishing hope, trust, institutions, and social bonds. In this process, cities transform the space opened up by national governments' peace agreements and security arrangements into lasting peace by rebuilding everyday life.
For this reason, we are addressing our support under three titles:
To strengthen UCLG's role in this regard, we target the following:
Access to food is a fundamental human right, and the exercise of this right is unaffected by whether societies are in times of peace or conflict. We are aware that we, as local leaders, are the actors who can contribute to the permanent adoption of this fundamental principle. We will be steadfast advocates for the adoption of this idea from the local to the global level, its recognition by international institutions, and its implementation.
On behalf of the UCLG Policy Councils and the political leadership of the organisation, signing of the joint political initiative addressed to the FAO, under the leadership of the Prefect of Pichincha, and the Mayors of Konya and Chefchaouen: As local administrators from different parts of the world we are aware of the same problems. We take pride in being among the local administrations that are leading the development of solutions to these problems. We will be advocates for the spread of this political initiative, launched by local administrators who are key actors in the solution, and for it to be voiced more comprehensively and loudly.
By its very nature, multi-level governance lacks a final decision-making mechanism but possesses a participatory and inclusive network of relationships for identifying problems and developing solutions. As the closest administrative units capable of hearing the voices of individuals, we are aware of our power and potential to increase our presence and effectiveness as UCLG, with its regional organisations in different parts of the multilingual, multi-voiced, and multi-coloured world. Aware of our power and potential, we declare that we will pursue our goal of increasing our role.
Diversifying and strengthening local production will pave the way for access to clean, healthy, and sufficient food. Due to transport costs, it is possible to ensure that products with high costs, but suitable for the climate and production conditions, are produced by local producers. We have experience in developing and implementing such a system. We will also monitor the identification and implementation of opportunities to make the financing and trading processes of these systems applicable in every region.
In the production and consumption process of food, many different types of suppliers, such as producer wholesalers and consumer wholesalers, operate at the national, regional or local level until the product reaches the end consumer. This situation raises the cost of the product to higher than necessary levels and causes food expenditures to account for a significant share of budget expenditures. Having production and consumption close together, preferably within the boundaries of the same local authority, will strengthen the local economy and reduce food costs, ensuring that consumers have access to high-quality, clean and sufficient food. As local and regional governments and their representatives working with international local government associations, we are the most important actors in the conceptualisation and implementation of this process. As decision-makers and implementers, we are in control of the process and will be advocates for the dissemination of best practices in this area.
While rural areas excel in agriculture and livestock farming, urban areas complement them by producing the advanced technological tools and equipment required by these sectors. The imbalance in access to some advanced agricultural and livestock tools between countries and regions also lead to inefficient use of production resources. As UCLG, we believe we have the potential to play an important and effective role in addressing this injustice. We affirm that we can leave future generations and leaders with a vision of balanced, inclusive, and sustainable production-consumption equilibrium.
With the increase in conflict zones and global crisis, we are going through a period in which access to food is becoming increasingly uncertain, regions lacking food security are becoming more apparent, and those outside the power structure feel even more isolated. In such a scenario, UCLG stands out as an important actor on a scale ranging from local to global. As local governments, we consider access to food and social assistance for individuals in our cities a priority area of responsibility. At the same time, we clearly observe that the number of people deprived of food on a mass scale and exposed to social injustice is also increasing. Faced with this reality, we believe it is necessary to strongly emphasise UCLG's capacity to generate solutions to problems experienced and likely to be experienced at city, regional and national levels. United around this common vision, we share our belief that we can further strengthen UCLG's central position within the global system.
UCLG's approach to governance and representation is not only an administrative structure but also a model of global democratic governance. In this context, one of our main objectives will be to prioritise regional balance and representation based on the principles of diversity and inclusiveness.
UCLG represents a collective intelligence formed by bringing together different experiences from around the world. Decisions are taken based on the consensus of committees formed by mayors and local leaders worldwide. UCLG involves not only mayors but also civil society organisations, academia, the private sector, and many other stakeholders in its decision-making processes. Decisions arise from local needs, and are communicated upwards to the global centre. In addition to the functioning of this collective intelligence mechanism, the President's legitimacy stems from being accountable and transparent.
The UCLG leadership model, as we understand it, is based on the principle that "the leader is not the one with the most authority, but the one who can bring the most people to the table." This model is the guarantee of local democracy on a global scale.
Shaping the future of UCLG together with all members, based on a shared sense of responsibility, means that the organisation is managed not only by a central administration but also through a democratic participation model that extends from the grassroots to the top.
UCLG is the voice of municipalities and local government associations around the world. Shaping the future requires the involvement of every member, from the smallest local government to the largest metropolis, in decision-making processes. This means that "strategic priorities" are determined jointly according to the needs of both the central office and regional organisations.
The concept of shared responsibility is based on the awareness that solving global problems (such as the climate crisis, migration, preventing inequalities and poverty) is not only the responsibility of states, but also of local governments. In this respect, the Sustainable Development Goals contribute to global objectives by being implemented in cities. Furthermore, sharing the successful models developed by one city with other members is an important part of our shared responsibility.
The Pact for the Future, one of UCLG's most important recent steps, is a concrete example of this joint shaping process. This pact is built on three main pillars:
The future of UCLG should be envisaged as a network of solidarity in which each region brings its own specific problems to the table. Shared responsibility aims to provide support in times of crisis in a region (such as an earthquake, flood, or economic crisis) through the sharing of institutional capacity among other members, and our leadership offers an inclusive approach to these issues.
We always value the leading role of local governments in reducing social, economic, and spatial inequalities. We see access to basic services as a "human right" in order to ensure social justice. We believe that services such as education, health, and social assistance should be provided with priority given to vulnerable groups such as migrants, people with disabilities, the elderly, and women.
In this context, we aim to encourage women's participation in local decision-making mechanisms and to make urban services gender-sensitive.
At the same time, bringing the opportunities available in the city centre to rural areas is among our key objectives. Local improvement projects aim to improve people's living conditions without displacing them. Public transport networks will be extended to socio-economically disadvantaged areas, increasing access to employment and education opportunities for those living there. The equal distribution of parks, squares, and cultural facilities throughout the city is also an important part of these objectives.
Within the framework of effective and multi-layered governance, local governments must act not only independently but also in cooperation with the central government, civil society, international organisations, and the private sector. This model is one of the most critical tools for implementing the principle of "leaving no one behind" in empowering vulnerable groups (the poor, people with disabilities, migrants, women, the elderly, and children).
Equal representation and equal voice for women, young people, and disadvantaged communities should be seen not merely as a quota, but as a transformation of governance. One of our strategic objectives is to alleviate the invisible burden on women and ensure their effective participation in politics and the workforce by having cities take on the care of the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities as a public service.
Believing that we must translate UCLG's principle of "leaving no one behind" into concrete policies at the global and local levels, I commit to transforming it from an abstract slogan into concrete policies that are integrated into the daily functioning of cities. Our aim is to make the commitment to leave no one behind more solid through the concept of "Caring Cities". With this approach, local governments aim to enable people to live in an ecosystem where they care for each other and the environment. The most important starting point in implementing this principle should be the idea that we must reach the most disadvantaged first. In this context, I believe that the success of a city should be measured not by its wealthiest neighbourhood, but by the quality of life of its most vulnerable citizens.
As the world moves towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, cities are the true pioneers of this journey. Local governments are the most powerful actors in translating global goals into solid investments, inclusive policies, and measurable results. With this understanding, the "Cities Countdown to 2030" initiative, carried out in partnership with UN-Habitat, is a high-impact global movement that aims to accelerate cities' sustainable development journey.
This initiative makes cities' progress towards the 2030 Agenda visible, and it contributes directly to the United Nations' High Impact Initiative with its findings. In this respect, Cities Countdown is not just a monitoring mechanism but a strategic platform that strengthens political leadership, local action, and global cooperation.
Under the Cities Countdown initiative:
Within the scope of this global initiative, Konya is making a strong local contribution to sustainable development by focusing on the theme of food security. With its agricultural production capacity, innovative practices, and structure balancing rural and urban areas, Konya has taken on the responsibility of being a model city in terms of access to food, sustainability in production, and the existence of resilient food systems.
Food security is directly linked to the protection of water resources, climate change, the strengthening of social justice, and the provision of economic resilience. Konya's experience and investments in this area will be among the best practices shared globally within the Cities Countdown initiative and will serve as a source of inspiration for other cities.
The International Union of Agricultural Cities (Agricities), established under Konya's leadership, is an institutionalised reflection of this vision for food security at the international level.
The Cities Countdown approach is one of the cornerstones of the UCLG vision. This vision advocates for a world where cities are not only implementers but also shapers of global policies.
In line with the goal of the 2026 UCLG Presidency, the accumulated knowledge, and multidimensional experience of my city, Konya, and Türkiye will further strengthen solidarity between cities.
From this perspective, the voice of local governments on a global scale will become stronger, more visible, and more effective for a sustainable, fair, and resilient future.
Following my election as UCLG President in Daejeon in 2022, I made it one of my top priorities to increase the visibility, recognition, and institutional legitimacy of local and regional governments in global decision-making mechanisms. This approach aims to ensure that cities are recognised not only as implementing actors, but also as stakeholders that shape and guide policies for solving global problems.
In this regard, I have strived to represent the collective voice of local and regional governments at the highest level in my capacity as President of UCLG by actively participating in meetings held within the United Nations system and related multilateral platforms. In the platforms I have participated in, I effectively utilised UCLG's institutional weight and representational power to ensure that cities' experiences on the ground were reflected in global policy documents.
In this context, I have participated in COP27, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Summit, COP28, the United Nations Global Migration Forum, the 10th World Water Forum, United Nations High-Level Political Forums, United Nations Future Summit, COP29, United Nations Biodiversity Conference, and the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
Additionally, within the scope of COP29, through the panel titled "Climate Change Mitigation Efforts in Local Governments" organised by Konya Metropolitan Municipality and the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) at the Türkiye Pavilion, and the panel titled "Recovery and Sustainable Management of Waste from Earthquake Debris" organised by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, I brought the role of cities in climate action, disaster resilience, and sustainability to the global agenda with concrete examples.
In my capacity as President of UCLG and Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, I led the organisation of a panel titled "Local Approaches to Global Issues" at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), in collaboration with UCLG and Konya Metropolitan Municipality. With this panel, I aimed to highlight the complementary role of local diplomacy in solving global problems.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum included 19 heads of state, 73 ministers, 57 representatives of international organisations, and participants from 147 countries, as well as the active involvement of local governments and local diplomacy. This has created a strong example demonstrating the functionality of multi-layered governance in central government-local government relations.
This panel has powerfully demonstrated to the international community that cities are not only actors that implement national policies, but also actors that can establish diplomatic dialogue, generate solutions, and develop global partnerships.
Throughout my presidency, I have actively participated in numerous global summits and high-level meetings as UCLG President, with the aim of increasing UCLG's institutional visibility and representation capacity. I believe that this participation has contributed to UCLG's positioning as a consistent and reliable interlocutor in the international system.
At UNESCO meetings, ACES Europe collaborations, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the Urban Economy Forum, the Guangzhou International Urban Innovation Awards Ceremony, the Mayors Forum, the World Urban Forum (WUF), and the Mercociudades Summit, I have represented cities' contributions to sustainable development, innovation, culture, sport, and social cohesion on a global scale.
Through these contacts, I aimed to strengthen the perception of UCLG as an actor that generates knowledge, shares experiences, and contributes to global policy processes.
During my presidency, I have placed particular emphasis on deepening strategic partnerships with international organisations and networks in order to expand UCLG's global sphere of influence and strengthen multilateral cooperation. With this approach, I aimed to enable cities to take on more effective and lasting roles in global governance.
In this context, I participated in the BRICS+ Cities and Local Governments Union Founding Meeting held in Kazan on 21 June 2024. I have played an active role in this important process, which brought together approximately 200 mayors, deputy mayors, municipal union managers, and local government representatives, and have supported the initiative. This formation has paved the way for strengthening dialogue between cities in multidimensional areas such as economy, culture, education, ecology, waste management, and tourism.
Furthermore, by participating in and hosting meetings of international networks such as the International Union of Agricultural Cities (AGRICITIES) and OICC, OWHC, and LHC, of which we are members, as well as the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB), which I chair, I have ensured that UCLG policies were shared, disseminated, and made more inclusive.
Alongside all these efforts, I have prioritised strengthening UCLG's position as the legitimate, reliable, and indispensable primary interlocutor for local and regional governments in global policy discussions. I have effectively utilised UCLG's institutional capacity and representational power to ensure that cities are recognised as strategic actors shaping policy-making processes within the multilateral system.
Within the United Nations system and related international platforms, I have supported the reflection of cities' experiences and recommendations in policy texts on issues such as climate change, migration, disaster management, social inequalities, and sustainable development, thereby making visible the capacity of local and regional governments to generate solutions to global problems.
Through this approach, I have contributed to strengthening the perception of UCLG as a structure that is consulted, referenced, and partnered with at the global level. The institutionalisation of the position of local governments as an integral part of the multilateral governance approach is of vital importance not only for today but also for the global governance architecture of the future.
In the future, I am determined to further advance UCLG's mission of being the global voice of cities and to ensure that local and regional governments play a more effective, visible, and decisive role in shaping the global future.