Under the coordination of the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB), a “Sister City Protocol” was signed between Selçuklu Municipality (Turkey) and Nalaikh Municipality (Mongolia) on September 22, 2025, in Konya. The protocol was signed at the Selçuklu Congress Center by Selçuklu Mayor Ahmet Pekyatırmacı and Nalaikh Mayor Dashzeveg Nayanbayar.
Selçuklu Municipality added a new sister municipality protocol with the aim of strengthening international cooperation and reinforcing cultural ties. Within this scope, Selçuklu Municipality, a member of the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB), and Mongolia’s Nalaikh Municipality became sister municipalities with the signed cooperation protocol. The protocol aims to develop cooperation between the two municipalities in areas such as education, tourism, sports, culture, and infrastructure.
The city of Nalaikh holds an important place in Turkish history. The Tonyukuk Inscriptions, which are among the oldest written documents of Turkish history, are located near Bayn Tsokto (Bain Tsokto), about 60 km southeast of Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar, in the Nalaikh district. Erected between 720–725 by Tonyukuk, the wise vizier of the Göktürk State, in his own name, the inscription consists of two standing stones written in the Göktürk alphabet. The inscription narrates the Göktürks’ struggles against China, the state order, and Tonyukuk’s advice.
Selçuklu Mayor Ahmet Pekyatırmacı said, “I believe that with this protocol, the friendly relations between Turkey and Mongolia will be further strengthened, and that Konya and Selçuklu will become even more recognized in Asia.”
Expressing that they came together as Selçuklu Municipality to take a valuable step that will strengthen cooperation on an international level and build bridges of friendship, Mayor Ahmet Pekyatırmacı said: “I am very pleased to sign the ‘Sister Municipality Protocol’ with Mongolia’s Nalaikh Municipality. On this occasion, I welcome our esteemed guest, Nalaikh Mayor Dashzeveg Nayanbayar, and his accompanying delegation to our city. With sister city protocols in the international arena, we are working to further strengthen the deep-rooted ties with cities that share a historical bond with us. With this process initiated under the coordination of the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB), we are placing this meaningful signature today.”
Thanking Selçuklu Mayor Ahmet Pekyatırmacı for his hospitality, Nalaikh Mayor Dashzeveg Nayanbayar said: “It is a great source of happiness for us to keep alive, together with you, the values and traditions inherited from our ancestors. On this occasion, we are very delighted. The roots of our people contain elements from many different nations. This heritage is a common treasure unique to our people. For us, it is a source of pride that the communities living here cooperate especially in culture, education, art, roads, and technology, and further strengthen with agricultural and land regulations. We believe that from now on, we will further develop our mutual cooperation with you. Turkey–Mongolia friendship will be further consolidated in the future. The documents signed here today are the most important proof of this. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you.”
After the signing ceremony, Selçuklu Mayor Ahmet Pekyatırmacı showed the guest delegation the Selçuklu Congress Center and municipal projects.
