United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA) proudly participated in the International Awards for Livable Communities (LivCom Awards) 2025, held from 18–21 November 2025, hosted by Avcılar Municipality in Istanbul. Supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), LivCom Awards is one of the world’s leading platforms for sustainable urban development.
The event was organized by the LivCom Organizing Committee, with Avcılar district serving as the host city. The opening ceremony featured speeches by distinguished figures, including Acting Mayor of Avcılar Yüksel Can, former UN Under-Secretary-General and LivCom Chair Angela Kane, Prof. Dr. Ayşen Erdinçler, Head of Environmental Protection and Control Department of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Dr. Mehmet Duman, Secretary General of UCLG-MEWA, among others.
During his speech, Dr. Mehmet Duman highlighted UCLG-MEWA’s commitment to promoting sustainable development across 17 countries in the Middle East and West Asia region. He emphasized the organization’s advocacy for strong cross-border city-to-city relations, its commitment to localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the importance of peer learning among municipalities.
“The LivCom Awards align closely with our mission, celebrating local initiatives that improve environmental management, enhance quality of life, and safeguard the future of our cities,” Dr. Duman stated. He also praised Avcılar Municipality for its proactive engagement with the SDGs, including the preparation of a Voluntary Local Review Report and a Progress Report, showcasing its commitment to sustainable urban development. 
Dr. Duman concluded his remarks by expressing hope that the awards would inspire participants and strengthen collaboration among local governments. He extended gratitude to UNEP for their support and to Avcılar Municipality for hosting the event and connecting local governments with the international arena.
The LivCom Awards program featured keynote speeches on sustainable urban planning and cultural innovation, exploring themes such as environmentally sustainable transportation, positive aging cities, and the Urban Sustainable Development Indicator System. The event also featured the Mayor’s Dialogue on how cultural innovation can contribute to sustainable urban development.
UCLG-MEWA’s participation in LivCom Awards 2025 reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing sustainable urban development and fostering global collaboration in building livable, resilient cities.