Izmir Metropolitan Mayor hosted 15 mayors from the  meeting.

The Board Meeting of United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Organization (UCLG-MEWA) was hosted by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. The meeting reviewed year 2019 as well as creating a new road map and taking a vote on 2020-2022 UCLG-MEWA strategic plan drafted in the light of sustainable development goals. 
“We are ready to cooperate with all related parties. We are invested in all aspects from climate to culture. UCLG committees provide us information and experience. These sessions will be a transparent and supporting approach. We will work on improving unity. This is our universe, this is our future; we should work together to save our world” said Mohamed Saadie, the Chairman of Dannieh Union of Municipalities and UCLG-MEWA.

Mehmet Duman, the General Secretary of UCLG-MEWA, underlined the importance of transformative aspect of all cities and regions in the process of improving local governments in the light of “Durban Political Declaration” and added “We can fully reveal the unrealized potential of this challenging geography and start a chain of transformation”.

What is UCLG-MEWA?
It is one of the nine sub organizations of the Global United Cities and Local Governments established in January 2004 and the goal is to assure cooperation between local governments and to share international experiences.

The Middle East and West Asia Regional Organization (MEWA) and UCLG merged under the same roof at the UCLG-MEWA Congress organized in Jordan on July 9-10, 2019.  Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Tunç Soyer is one of the 11 local governors appointed as the Board Member of UCLG Global Organization.

Co-chairs
Yücel Yılmaz, Metropolitan Mayor of Balıkesir
Yousef Al Shawarbeh, Metropolitan Mayor of Amman
Zeydan Karalar, Metropolitan Mayor of Adana 
Musa Hadid, Palestinian Union of Local Government  
Pirouz Hanachi, Mayor of Tehran
Ombudsman
Mansur Yavaş, Metropolitan Mayor of Ankara
Treasurer
Rasim Arı, Mayor of Nevşehir