Organized by Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) in cooperation with Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), Bolu Municipality, Bağcılar Municipality, Beykoz Municipality, Sancaktepe Municipality and Housing Development Administration (TOKİ), “Kyrgyzstan Member Municipalities Information and Experience Sharing Program” was completed with the presentations and site visits in Istanbul and Bolu between 19 and 25 November 2017.
The program was attended by Mayor of Batken Mamyrzhan Rakhımov, Mayor of Kızıl-Kıya Ermekbai Topchubaev, Mayor of Toktogul Marat Kalmurzaev, Mayor of Karakol Danııar Arpachiev, Mayor of Balıkçı Almaz Mambetov, Mayor of Talas Aidarbek Dzhuzupbekov, Mayor of Tokmok Zhyrgalbek Shamyraliev, Mayor of Kadamjay Bakytbek Begaiev, Mayor of Uzgen Rakhman Atadzhanov and Mayor of Nookat Zhoomart Nurdinov.
On the first day of the program the delegation visited IBB Directorate of European Side Parks and Gardens and had a presentation on “Green Areas Management in Municipalities”, and then made a site visit. At the same day the group also visited Istanbul Agac ve Peyzaj Co. and learned about the administrational structure and the projects of the company.
The second day of the program continued with an official visit to Bağcılar Municipality. The participants met with Mayor of Bağcılar Lokman Çağırıcı, were informed about the functioning of Municipal Council and listened to the presentation on “Financial Management in Municipalities”. At the same day the delegation visited TOKI Istanbul Service Building and was presented about “Projects of Urban Transformation”.
On the third day of the program Kyrgyz Mayors visited Mayor of Beykoz Yücel Çelikbilek. After the visit, the delegation was presented on “Property Tax and Title Deed Operations in Municipalities”.
Sister City Protocol was signed during TDBB Visit
At the same day, the delegation visited TDBB and met with TDBB Executive Board Members to exchange ideas. Within the framework of the visit, ‘Sister City Protocol’ was signed between Şahinbey Municipality and Tokmok Municipality of Kyrgyzstan.
On the fourth day of the program Sancaktepe Municipality was visited. The delegation met with Mayor of Sancaktepe İsmail Erdem. During the visit, the parties discussed the similarities and differences of the municipalities in both countries. Besides, mutual agreement was provided between Sancaktepe Municipality and Balıkçı Municipality about being sister cities. Later on, a presentation on “Projects on Urban Transformation” was listened and the delegation made a site visit.
On the fifth day of the program in Bolu, the delegation visited indoor plant production and care greenhouses of Bolu Municipality with Deputy Mayor of Bolu Emine Davarcıoğlu. In addition, the delegation was presented on “The Administration and Sustainability of National Parks” at information center of Bolu Abant Lake Nature Protection and National Parks Directorate.
Sister Cities Meeting and Certificate Ceremony were made in Bolu
On the last day of the program, sister cities meeting and certificate ceremony were made in Bolu Teacher’s Lodge. The ceremony was attended by Mayor of Bolu Alaaddin Yılmaz, Secretary General of TDBB Fahri Solak, Deputy Mayor of Talas (Kayseri) A.Rıza Karakullukçu and Mayors from Kyrgyzstan.
During the ceremony Mayor of Bolu Alaadin Yılmaz spoke as, “We are very glad and honored to host you in Bolu. As Bolu Municipality, we become sister cities with the cities that Köroğlu lived. We are sister cities with Uzgen Municipality from Kyrgyzstan. You are not our guests in here, but landowners. Bolu is one of the cities with its 300.000 population, with forests which cover %65 of its lands and 200 lakes where you can live the four seasons. That’s why we call Bolu as the heart of the nature. We want this dialogue lasts long. We are always ready to welcome you in Bolu.”
On the other hand Mayor of Sister City Uzgen Rakhman Atadzhanov said, “I thank TDBB who acts as a bridge for us for bringing us here and organizing this program. This program was very beneficial for us. With these programs, we witnessed what local governments do in Turkey. They have done great job. Bolu is similar with Kyrgyzstan in terms of nature and climate. There are lots of green areas, waterfalls, the weather is clean; we saw a livable place.”
Besides Mayor of Talas Aidarbek Dzhuzupbekov talked as, “I thank for this program on behalf of my delegation. We follow up the development of Turkey very closely. I came to Turkey two years ago but today I see that Turkey keeps developing. We want and support Turkey to come to an important position in the world.”
After the speeches, the program was completed with the closing ceremony and the presentation of the participation certificates to the delegation.
Kyrgyzstan delegation returned back to their country after Istanbul city tour.
26.11.2017
