The 3rd General Assembly of Global Design Cities Organization (GDCO) hosted by Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, has started.
The General Assembly, in which Mehmet Duman, UCLG-MEWA Secretary General, and mayors and representatives of cities including Budapest, Bishkek, Dhaka, Kiev, Sofia, and Nicosia from more than 20 member countries, started with the opening speech of Melih Gökçek, Mayor of Ankara.
Melih Gökçek, who made his speech at the general assembly, stated that an intensive work would be carried in order to create new ideas.
He also mentioned that the mankind has always tried to find the best, the good and more convenient in life, and thus in every geography in the world different and huge civilizations have emerged. Mr. Gökçek also said that the development and transformation gained momentum with the communication opportunities of the 20th and 21st century.
The theme of “design, culture and tourism”
Underlining that this year’s theme was “design, culture and tourism,” Gökçek, expressed that they would discuss the interaction between design, culture and tourism.
Gökçek underlined the importance of protecting the cultural heritage, historical places and values, in order to maintain the identity of the city when designing new places.
Mehmet Duman, UCLG-MEWA Secretary General, stressed the important role of Global Design Cities Organization which aims at increasing the life standards, in designing the future of the cities.
Duman, also said “Global Design Cities Organization increased its development and recognition even though so little time has passed since its foundation, thanks to the support and 26-year local government experience of Mr. Gökçek,” and presented his thanks to the Mayor.
Mayors and representatives of cities including Budapest, Bishkek, Dhaka, Kiev, Sofia, and Nicosia from more than 20 member countries participated in the General Assembly.