Uğur İbrahim Altay, President of TDBB and Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, became the President of UCLG.

Uğur İbrahim Altay, President of the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) and Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, was elected President of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) for the 2026–2029 term after winning the election by a large margin against the Mayor of Mexico City. The election was held within the framework of the UCLG World Council Meeting in Tangier, Morocco, on 25 June 2026.

By being elected President of the World Organization of Local Governments, which represents 240,000 local governments across 140 countries on seven continents, Altay became a source of pride for Türkiye in international representation.

A total of 342 delegates from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, the Middle East and West Asia, Latin America, and North America, representing more than 240,000 local governments worldwide, cast their votes in the election.

Speaking after the election, Altay stated that, as Konya, they were rightfully proud to have won the presidency of UCLG, an organization that brings together 240,000 local governments from around the world under one roof, with overwhelming support.

Emphasizing that this was a significant achievement for Türkiye, Altay said:

"From now on, on behalf of municipalities across the world, we will continue to express our views and advocate on every issue, particularly climate change, while ensuring that the voices of people living in oppressed regions—especially in Gaza—are heard and that the well-being of people living in our cities is enhanced."

Altay also noted that this appointment represents much more than a personal responsibility, describing it as a clear indication of the trust placed in Konya and in Türkiye’s approach to local governance.

“We Will Work More Strongly to Mobilize the Power of Cities Against the Common Challenges of Humanity”

Speaking about his objectives for the new term, President Altay said:

“In the coming period, our goal is not only to strengthen our organization, which is the world’s largest network of local governments, but also to further enhance its influence and transformative power. We will work for a UCLG that transforms the knowledge, experience, and priorities of our members from every region of the world into a common strength, while making the role of cities and regions in global decision-making processes more visible and more effective. We will strengthen solidarity among our regional sections, deepen cooperation among our members, and more effectively advocate for the indispensable role of local governments in shaping the global agenda. In the coming period, we will work harder to mobilize the power of cities in addressing humanity’s shared challenges, ranging from climate change and migration to water crises, disasters, poverty, and inequalities among cities.”

“We Will Continue to Defend the Peace, Security, and Human Dignity of Cities”

Altay noted that millions of people, from Gaza to Iran, from Lebanon to all regions affected by wars and conflicts, continue to bear the heavy burden of fear, deprivation, displacement, and uncertainty.

Emphasizing that the suffering caused by the bloodshed of innocent people touches hearts with the same pain regardless of nationality, faith, or geography, Altay continued:

“During our UCLG Presidency, we will continue to defend the peace, security, and human dignity of cities. We will mobilize the collective conscience of cities so that ceasefires may lead to lasting peace and temporary calm may evolve into justice and brotherhood. Our vision is of a new world where cities can compete while also standing in solidarity, and where local governments can assume greater responsibility in solving global challenges. We will carry the prayers of the oppressed, the just cause of Gaza, and humanity’s longing for peace on our shoulders. We will work tirelessly for a future in which no city is abandoned to its fate, no child grows up under the shadow of war, and justice and compassion prevail throughout the world.”

Altay also stated that they would continue to share Türkiye’s local government experience, which has advanced under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with cities around the world under the umbrella of UCLG. He thanked President Erdoğan and his colleagues for their support throughout the process.

President Erdoğan Congratulated Altay

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated Uğur İbrahim Altay on his election as President of UCLG. Responding through his social media account, Altay stated:

“I would like to express my gratitude to our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for his congratulations on my election as President of UCLG. We will strive to work in line with our President’s vision for local governance and foreign policy.”

Minister Kurum: “I Wish Our President Success in His New Role”

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum stated on his social media account:

“We are proud. Our Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, Uğur İbrahim Altay, has been elected President of UCLG, which represents 240,000 local governments worldwide. I believe this position, which is of great importance for the global representation of our local governments, will also make strong contributions to our COP31 process. I wish our President success in his new role.”

Throughout Altay’s election campaign for the UCLG Presidency, members of the TDBB Executive Board and member municipalities both in Türkiye and abroad provided their full support.

The election of Uğur İbrahim Altay, President of the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) and Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, as President of UCLG received extensive coverage in both international and national media.