The Congress of the United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA) was held from 2 to 4 October 2025, hosted by Konya Metropolitan Municipality. Bringing together mayors, local government representatives, experts, and stakeholders from across the region, the congress aimed to strengthen cooperation among local governments and develop joint strategies on sustainable development, resilience, and peacebuilding.
The official opening ceremony, held on 3 October, featured speeches by Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of Türkiye; Konya Governor İbrahim Akın; Konya MP Selman Özboyacı; Uğur İbrahim Altay, Mayor of Konya and UCLG Executive President; Ahmet Akın, Mayor of Balıkesir and UCLG Vice President; Mohamed Saadie, UCLG-MEWA Honorary President; and Dr. Mehmet Duman, UCLG-MEWA Secretary General. UCLG Secretary General Emilia Saiz also addressed the participants through a video message.
Day 1: Exploring Konya’s Cultural and Historical Heritage
The first day of the congress began with technical visits, where participants explored Konya’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Visits included key sites such as Konya Science Center, Mevlana Museum, and the historic city center. Participants learned about the city’s efforts to preserve and promote its cultural assets while integrating modern urban planning approaches.
Throughout the visits, the harmony between Konya’s historical texture and contemporary urban development practices was showcased as a model for sustainable cultural preservation.
Day 2: General Assembly and Election of Governing Bodies
The second day featured the UCLG-MEWA General Assembly and the elections of the organization’s governing bodies. Representatives from member municipalities convened to elect the UCLG-MEWA Presidency and other governing bodies for the 2025–2028 term.
The General Assembly also discussed strategic priorities for the new term, including strengthening regional cooperation and advancing the role of local governments in the sustainable development agenda.
Committees and working groups of UCLG-MEWA presented their upcoming activity plans, focusing on enhancing resilience, developing innovative local solutions, and promoting good governance principles across the region.
Day 3: Sessions on Peace, Recovery, and Food Security
The final day of the congress continued with high-level sessions on “Peace Building and Post-Conflict Recovery Planning for Local Development” and “The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Systems.”
Local leaders from various countries discussed the critical role of local governments in post-war, post-disaster, and crisis recovery processes. Speakers shared strategies to promote peace at the local level, strengthen social cohesion, and ensure food security.
Presentations and discussions emphasized that preparedness and resilience are not only vital for crisis response but also serve as key pillars of long-term sustainable development.
