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Ekrem İmamoğlu announces: Joint declaration from mayors of 15 cities across 10 different countries

Representatives of cities from the Middle East and North Africa, who gathered in Istanbul at the invitation of the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB) and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, have published a joint memorandum of understanding.

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Mayors from 15 cities across 10 different countries, who met in Istanbul at the invitation of TBB and IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, have published a joint declaration. Stating, "We have gathered in Istanbul to reaffirm our shared commitment to promoting peace, stability, and common prosperity in our region," the mayors made a 5-point pledge.

The mayors and diplomatic representatives who came from 15 cities across 10 different countries to attend the Middle East and North Africa Peace and Cooperation Mayors (MENA) Meeting included the following statements in their joint memorandum of understanding:

EMPHASIS ON PEACE AND STABILITY

“We; as mayors, governors, and representatives of cities and local governments, including Amman, Adana, Baghdad, Bursa, Casablanca, Erbil, Isfahan, Istanbul, Kilis, Mersin, Rabat, Ramallah, Salfeet, Tehran, and Tripoli, have gathered in Istanbul to reaffirm our shared commitment to promoting peace, stability, and common prosperity in our region.

Acknowledging our responsibility as city leaders in addressing interconnected challenges such as poverty, conflict, displacement, and environmental threats; recognizing the peace, prosperity, and wealth of knowledge that flourish through the interconnectedness of cities in the Middle East and North Africa; and affirming that no city can truly thrive in isolation from its neighbors; guided by the principles of inclusivity, sustainable development, and shared prosperity, and prioritizing the dignity and well-being of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable, including displaced individuals who deserve to return to their homes with dignity and opportunity, we declare the following commitments to promote peace, resilience, and cooperation among cities as the fundamental drivers of regional and urban stability and prosperity:

5 COMMITMENTS LISTED

1-To sustain the dialogue initiated in Istanbul and establish a strong network of solidarity by sending invitations to other cities in the region.

2-To develop localized solutions to support post-conflict urban recovery, including ensuring the return of displaced individuals to their home countries in accordance with the laws and regulations of the host country.

3-To promote cross-border cultural and economic exchanges to foster mutual understanding and growth among cities.

4-To cooperate with international organizations to elevate the role of cities as key actors in peacebuilding and sustainable development on global platforms.

5-To work to ensure that people leave no one behind.

This declaration is a testament to our shared commitment to building resilient, inclusive, and peaceful cities and to expanding our network of solidarity and peace for future generations.”

“I WILL FOLLOW UP ON THIS PROCESS"

Stating, "May our joint declaration be beneficial," Ekrem İmamoğlu said the following in his speech at the closing of the meeting:

“In the coming period, I, in particular, will follow up on this process if all our participating friends agree. We desire to form this structure with these strong cities, bringing together the very valuable cities of your precious countries in our ancient geography, the Middle East and North Africa, with a principle where we can decide on every future step of the process together through a mutual exchange of views—whether one-on-one or all together in a digital environment when necessary—and where we can expand this circle further with strong meetings and new participants. We want to address our troubles, our difficulties, and our strong steps toward the future with an understanding that absolutely and definitively considers every human being valuable, without discrimination based on faith, ethnic origin, or gender, and by taking strong steps together that protect every individual and prepare them for the future in a civilized manner. This is our wish.

You have brought great honor to Istanbul. By coming here, you have added great strength to this idea. I hope we will all experience days together where we talk only about peace and human development in our region, and where we further develop our cities through very beautiful collaborations. I thank each and every one of you. I convey huge greetings to your cities from Istanbul and from myself.”