The launch event of the European Mobility Week (EMW) organized within the scope of the 'European Union Support for Sustainable Urban Mobility in Cities Project' (SKUP Türkiye) funded by the Republic of Türkiye and the European Union (EU), with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure as the contracting authority and the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT) as the final beneficiary.
This year's theme is 'Discover Your City - Save Your Future Energy!'
The main theme of 2023 Edition of the European Mobility Week, which is celebrated every year between September 16-22, was announced as 'Discover Your City - Save Your Future Energy!
President of the UMT and Mayor of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Yücel Yılmaz, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, Director General for EU and Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Burak Aykan and representatives from municipalities and public institutions attended the event. During the event, the promotional movie of the SKUP Türkiye Project was introduced and the SKUP Türkiye website was unveiled.
President Yılmaz said: "We will ensure that each of our 1,391 municipalities supports the European Mobility Week."
President Yılmaz drew attention to the climate change in the world. Yılmaz said, "The world is going through climate change and it is clear that this climate change will negatively affect our lives. Should we pollute more to produce more? Should we oppress others to live better? The concept that will unite these two important concepts in the middle is the 'win-win' concept that our President said. We can always do both together. We can be mobile and not pollute our environment. We can produce a lot and not negatively affect others." President Yılmaz thanked all stakeholder organizations related to EMW. Yılmaz said, "As UMT, we will continue to distribute bicycles in the strongest way with the support we receive from the European Union. We will ensure that each of our 1,391 municipalities supports the European Mobility Week."
Bozay: "This year's mobility theme is very impressive"
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay reminded that bicycles emerged in the past to meet the needs of people and underlined that the main focus of cycling today is to protect future generations from dangers such as climate change. Bozay, "This year's theme is very impressive and built on a theme that will raise awareness. It is very suitable for Mr. President's structure and his work on energy." Bozay said that the project will provide a great benefit to the whole state and nation, starting from the local level.
Aykan: "We are trying to raise awareness about transportation vehicles powered by renewable energy sources."
Director General for EU and Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Burak Aykan stated that the transportation sector is a sector where EU funds are used effectively. Aykan also underlined that transportation investments implemented within the framework of cooperation with the EU. He noted that important work has been carried out with municipalities within the scope of IPA I and IPA II. Aykan also gave information about the SKUP Project and said, "During the Mobility Week, we are trying to raise awareness about transportation vehicles powered by renewable energy sources."
Meyer-Landrut: "Türkiye was the country with the highest number of participants last year. I hope it will retain its title this year."
Ambassador Landrut congratulated Yücel Yılmaz on his election as President of UMT. He emphasized that UMT is an important partner and expressed his hope that the 10 metropolitan cities in Turkey involved in the project will be an inspiration for other cities.
Landrut emphasized that the project aims to provide citizens with cleaner, healthier and cost-effective options for energy use. He suggested using public transportation and being more physically active to save energy. Meyer-Landrut said, "Türkiye was the country with the highest participation last year. I hope it will keep this title this year as well."
Experts explained sustainable transportation methods
Following the opening speeches, Feridun Ekmekci, National Coordinator of EuroVelo Türkiye and President of Energy Efficiency and Environmental Protection Association, made a presentation on sustainable transportation methods in the afternoon session of the event. Also, SKUP Türkiye Project Director Wolfgang Backhaus-Rupprecht Consult participated in the event via videoconference.