The UCLG-MEWA Committee on Social Inclusion Presidency and Committee Meeting convened in Ankara on February 11,2026, bringing together mayors, municipal officials, experts, and international partners to advance inclusive, equitable, and people-centered urban policies across the MEWA region.
The meeting opened with remarks by Dr. Mehmet Duman, Secretary General of UCLG-MEWA; Mansur Yavaş, Mayor of Ankara and President of the Committee on Social Inclusion; Abdulkarim Alzubaidi, President of APLA; and Dr. Evren Dinçer, Mayor of Aksaray and Committee Co-President. Speakers emphasized the vital role of social inclusion in building just, resilient, and sustainable communities.
Throughout the sessions, participants reviewed the Committee’s Framework and Key Activities for 2022–2025 and discussed the Draft Working Plan for 2025–2028, outlining future priorities, planned activities, and cooperation opportunities. Discussions highlighted inclusive governance, equal access to services, and the strengthening of local authorities’ capacity to promote social cohesion.
The meeting also featured a rich exchange of best practices from member municipalities, covering inclusive social service delivery, accessibility and services for persons with disabilities and older persons, youth and sports initiatives, women and family services, community-based approaches, and inter-municipal cooperation models. These exchanges underlined the central role of local governments in implementing inclusive, equitable, and people-centered policies across the MEWA region.
The Presidency and Committee Meeting concluded with closing remarks reaffirming the Committee’s shared commitment to continued collaboration, knowledge sharing, and peer learning, while ensuring that social inclusion remains a core priority in city governance and local development strategies.
