The UCLG-MEWA Committee on Culture & Tourism (CC&T) Presidency and Committee Meeting was held in Muğla on February 7, 2026, convening mayors, local government representatives, academics, and international experts from across the MEWA region.
The meeting opened with remarks by Dr. Mehmet Duman, UCLG-MEWA Secretary General, followed by contributions from local leaders including Mehdi Fallahi Panah, Head of Internationalization and Comprehensive Studies Office of Tehran Municipality; Issa Nazzal, Deputy Mayor of Beit Jala; Hasan Kılca, Mayor of Karatay and Co-President of the Committee; Ali Ertuğrul Bul, Mayor of Ürgüp and Co-President of the Committee; and Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, Mayor of Şanlıurfa, UCLG-MEWA Co-President and Ambassador for Culture.
In his opening address, Ahmet Aras, Mayor of Muğla and President of the Committee on Culture & Tourism, highlighted culture and tourism as strategic instruments for cooperation, resilience, and sustainable local development.
Thematic sessions focused on Muğla’s internationalization strategy, tourism as a tool for city diplomacy, sustainable tourism and overtourism challenges, and the growing role of cities in shaping cultural policies and governance. Contributions from municipal advisors, tourism sector representatives, and academia underlined the need for balanced growth models that protect local identity while enhancing global engagement.
A high-level dialogue further emphasized that municipalities are at the forefront of safeguarding and promoting cultural heritage, strengthening cultural governance, and integrating culture and tourism into broader urban planning frameworks. Speakers reaffirmed the importance of aligning local tourism strategies with national priorities and international frameworks to ensure sustainability, inclusiveness, and long-term community well-being.
The meeting underscored that empowered local governments play a critical role in advancing cultural diplomacy, strengthening city-to-city cooperation, and building culturally vibrant, resilient, and sustainable urban futures across the MEWA region.
