DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE UMT AND REGIONAL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
The Congress of the United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Regional Organization (UCLG-MEWA) was held in Konya.
During the congress, Union of Municipalities of Turkiye (UMT) Secretary General Suat Yıldız held bilateral meetings with local administrators from cities in Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, focusing on key topics such as “the contribution of inter-city diplomacy and cooperation to regional peace.”
Constructive Talks with the Syrian Delegation
On the occasion of the congress, UMT Secretary General Suat Yıldız met with Idlib Governor Mohammad Abdul Rahman, Hama Governor Abdulrahman Al Sahyan, and Deputy Governor of Damascus Musab Badawi. The discussions addressed issues such as the integration of Syrian municipalities into international local government networks and the establishment of a municipal union in Syria.
Cooperation with Lebanon and Tehran
In a separate meeting, Yıldız and Mohamad Saadie, President of the Union of Dannieh Municipalities in Lebanon, discussed enhancing collaboration between the local government unions of the two countries and joint efforts to strengthen the effectiveness of UCLG-MEWA.
Yıldız also met with the Iranian delegation, including Tehran Municipality Spokesperson Abdolmotahar Mohammadkhani, Director of Foreign Affairs Mehdi Fallahi Panah, and expert Mohammadhasan Babazadeh. The meeting focused on potential cooperation with the Tehran Municipality and discussions on regional peace.
The Iranian officials also extended an invitation to the UMT to participate in the Urban Summit to be held in Tehran from 26 to 30 November 2025.
WHAT IS UCLG-MEWA?
The United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Regional Organization (UCLG-MEWA) is a regional local government union that operates in a geography encompassing six countries, including Turkiye, representing approximately 400 million people with over 250 direct members. Although its foundation dates back to 1987, the organization assumed its current structure in 2004.
As one of the nine regional sections of UCLG World Organization, the world’s largest local government association, UCLG-MEWA’s headquarters is located in Istanbul.