Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality took part in the first meeting of the Climate-Neutral Cities Network (İNŞA), organised by the Union of Marmara Municipalities.

Held at the Haliç Congress Centre within the scope of MARUF25, the meeting brought together representatives from pioneering and follower cities, relevant ministries, and international organisations. The initiative, launched under the NetZeroCities Urban Expert Support Mechanism in Türkiye, aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among cities working towards climate neutrality. Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality participated in the process as a “Follower City.”

Evin Dinar, Head of the Department of Climate Change and Zero Waste, and İbrahim Yalçın, Head of the Department of Environmental Protection and Control, attended the sessions titled “The Role of Municipalities in the National Climate Target,” “Climate101.5°: The Boiling Point of the Future,” “İNŞA x CapaCITIES 2.0: High-Level Dialogue for Climate-Neutral Cities,” and “Citizen Science Methods in Tackling Extreme Heat.”

“The Powers of Local Governments Must Be Strengthened”

Evin Dinar, Head of the Department of Climate Change and Zero Waste, stated that as Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality, they aim to take an active role in combating climate change by participating in such platforms, while also enhancing cooperation and knowledge sharing towards the goal of building sustainable and resilient cities.

Dinar emphasised that achieving climate neutrality requires stronger support from central governments for local authorities and the implementation of action plans tailored to each city’s unique conditions. She also highlighted the importance of strengthening the powers of local governments within this framework, noting that such platforms should promote ecological approaches based on harmony with nature and the preservation of ecosystem integrity.