We will discuss how our municipalities can cope with the long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns in the region.
We will seek partnerships throughout the region for data and digital technologies to achieve economic growth and improve the quality of life.
Migration is one of the hottest topics in Balkan countries since 2015. We will assess solutions to ease the effects of mass migration.
Our economies are tightly connected to each other in the region. It is time to harness our strategic location for global success and growth.
Participating Cities
Welcome to İstanbul
On 29-30 November 2021, we are starting a journey with the Mayors of the important cities of the Balkans. For us, this is a journey of regional cooperation, democracy, peace and stability among our cities. This is a journey of joint work in order to make our cities and societies resilient against global warming, and working together in line with the net zero carbon target envisaged by the UN for 2050.
Within the scope of the European vision, this is a journey of solidarity in the fields of democratic values, sustainable development, smart city practices and digital transformation. And in this journey, we aim for regional solidarity, inter-city dialogue and a result-oriented working approach in order to solve the problems that we, as city leaders, cannot solve alone.
For this purpose, I believe that the first meeting of our B40 Balkan Cities Network in Istanbul, which we developed through benchmarking studies with such international initiatives as C40, G20, G7, will be a great success for our common future. I hereby invite all the Mayors of Balkan cities to join the B40 Balkan Cities Network and rise together from the east of Europe. As you all know, the sun rises from the east.
On this occasion, I wish all the Mayors and delegates attending our meeting from the Balkans to have a pleasant time in Istanbul, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Ekrem İmamoğlu
Mayor of İstanbul
İstanbul, Turkey
B40 Field Trips
Sultanahmet Square accepted as the heart of the historical peninsula of Istanbul was previously a circus and a hippodrome and served as the sporting and social centre of the city. During Ottoman era the square was known as “Horse Square” or “At Meydanı” in Turkish.
Şerefiye Cistern, is considered to be one of the oldest water structures in the Historic Peninsula of Istanbul with a history dating back almost to 1,600 years. Based on its architectural features it is predicted that it was built during the reign of Theodosius II
The Grand Bazaar (“Kapalıçarşı” in Turkish meaning Covered Bazaar) is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. It is still quite popular both among locals and tourists visiting it from every corner of the globe.
Covid-19 Regulations
Previously stated measures for entry to the Republic of Turkey have been revoked by our Ministry and the new measures to be followed, effective starting from 15 November 2021 Monday.
