D-8 Secretary-General Dr. Mousavi met with Mr. Kadir Topba?, Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality of Istanbul on 10 November 2014.

 

In this visit, D-8 Secretary-General suggested to enhance level cooperation between the Municipalities of the D-8 Member States. These include the role of Municipality Development cooperation at international level. “Bilateral and Multilateral cooperation is important to bring development that reaches people. In this context, the formation of Municipal Development Partnerships between concerned actors is seen as a promising path.” he said. 

Dr. Mousavi underlined that due to common challenges facing the major cities of D-8 Member States, it is high time for the Municipalities of the D-8 Member States to cooperate. This will provide an avenue for the Member States to deliberate and consider numerous of urban issues, exchange views and come out with tangible project for implementation and way forward for cooperation.

?stanbul Mayor Kadir Topba? who is also the Head of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), said that in the last few years, local and regional governments have played major role in the development process of the cities and regions. It is also important for the local authorities to get support from the stakeholders and the government as their decision may have an impact at local and regional level” Topba? stressed.

He continued that “D-8 cities, should exchanged views and share experiences for the benefit of the people and region. Mayor Topba? also underlined that strengthening cooperation between D-8 metropolitan cities is great importance which will pave way for collaboration in the area of urban management and cities development.