”City and Climate” Panel Held

The “City and Climate” Panel was held by Healthy Cities National Network of Türkiye, was hosted by Osmangazi Municipality on 25 December 2024 with the participation of 180 representatives from 48 member municipalities. Member mayors, council members, advisory board members, healthy cities project coordinators and municipal representatives participated in the panel program, which started with the opening speeches of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and President of Healthy Cities National Network of Türkiye Dr. Cemil Tugay and host Osmangazi Municipality Mayor Erkan Aydın.

In the opening speech, Dr. Cemil Tugay emphasized that a healthy life can only be possible with healthy environments and sustainable urbanization and said, “Therefore, the responsibility of local administrations for fighting against climate change is more critical than ever.” Dr. Tugay stated that Healthy Cities National Network of Türkiye has been working hard to ensure that member municipalities adopt the principle of “health at the center of all policies” and act according to this approach.

In addition, Dr. Tugay also stated that the works carried out with World Health Organization’s European Healthy Cities Network, contributes significantly to the development of sustainable and health-oriented strategies of cities on a global scale and said, “This cooperation plays an important role in helping our municipalities to achieve health and sustainability goals at international standards.”

In the first session after the opening speeches, Regional Director of WHO European Healthy Cities Network, Kira Fortune addressed the Association members via video recording. In her speech, Fortune stated that “The relationship between climate change and health is important globally; she expressed her gratitude to Healthy Cities National Network of Türkiye and the host Osmangazi Municipality for addressing such an important issue after the COP29; the commitments made at this stage of fighting against the climate crisis can have a direct impact on public health when considering the results of the COP29, and that the link between climate and health issues is no longer a matter of theory, but an issue that societies and cities need to face and take measures with urgently; SECAP experiences and reports discussed in the panel highlight the power of local administrations in view of overcoming global problems; the interaction between climate and health should be stronger; extreme weather conditions, water scarcity and air pollution affect disadvantaged groups in societies at a higher rate; the investment activities for sustainable urban planning, clean energy and climate policies should be accelerated in cooperation with central and local administrations.” Lastly, Fortune stated that she was looking forward to the WHO Annual Business and Technical Meeting to be held in Bursa in 2025 and thanked President of Healthy Cities National Network of Türkiye, Dr. Cemil Tugay for providing such an environment for the members.

The first session was moderated by President of Izmir Planning Agency and Advisory Board Member of Healthy Cities National Network of Türkiye, Prof. Dr. Koray Velibeyoğlu. Deputy Secretary General of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Prof. Dr. Pınar Okyay evaluated the role of local administrations in climate change adaptation process. Head of the Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science of Eskisehir Technical University and Advisory Board Member of Healthy Cities National Network of Türkiye, Prof. Dr. Cengiz Türe drew attention to the relationship between ecological balance and health.

In the second session, Secretary General of Healthy Cities National Network of Türkiye, Murat Ar made a presentation to the participants about 2024 WHO European Healthy Cities Network Meeting. At the end of the presentation, he shared the results of this year’s European Healthy Cities Network Advisory Board elections and congratulated Climate Change and Clean Energy Branch Director of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Ahmet Toker who was elected to the Advisory Board and gave the floor to him.

The third session was moderated by Faculty Member of METU, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Advisory Board Member of Healthy Cities National Network of Türkiye, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ender Peker. In this session, representatives from various municipalities shared their experiences about Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP). Assistant Branch Manager of Climate Change of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Berfin Kahraman shared SECAP implementations in Istanbul. Environmental Protection and Climate Change Manager of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, Meriç Deniz gave information about their projects in Kocaeli. Climate Change and Zero Waste Manager of Osmangazi Municipality, Rüveyşa Burça Turan and Climate Change and Zero Waste Directorate Chief of Bahçelievler Municipality, Erdinç Şimşek shared their local practices and experiences with the participants.

After receiving the questions and evaluations of the participants in the question and answer part of the session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ender Peker made a general evaluation by summarizing the topics discussed in the sessions. The meeting ended with a group photo and the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the participants.