The opening session of UCLG World Council was held on Friday, 13 November 2020.
Volkan Bozkır, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, was the guest of honor at the opening session, which was held with a broad attendance of local government representatives from all over the world. In his speech, Bozkır stated that in order to fully achieve sustainable cities, the issue of inclusiveness must be addressed. He also mentioned that cities are as resilient as those most vulnerable.
In his speech during the opening session, Mr. Uğur İbrahim Altay, Mayor of Konya and Co-President of UCLG, expressed his wish that UCLG be an observer in the United Nations. Also, the message of the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was shared with the attendees during the session.