Fatih Mayor M. Ergün Turan Assumes the Presidency of NALAS (Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South East Europe)

Marmara Municipalities Union (MMU) took over the presidency of the Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South East Europe (NALAS), of which it is a member, for the period of 2023-2024. The Presidency of NALAS was assumed by M. Ergün Turan, Deputy President of MMU and the Mayor of Fatih Municipality.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the NALAS General Assembly Meeting held in Istanbul. During the ceremony, M. Ergun Turan, Deputy President of the Marmara Municipalities Union (MMU) and the Mayor of Fatih Municipality, took over the presidency for 2023-2024 from Goran Cvetanovic, the Mayor of Leskovac and the President of Cities and Municipalities of Republic of Serbia. Speaking at the meeting, M. Ergun Turan said: "I take over the Presidency of NALAS with the conviction that the strength of the network comes from its members, which is you, the local government associations and the local authorities that are your members. Each and every city and municipality in our region can benefit from the knowledge, experience and expertise of NALAS. During my presidency, I will work to expand the coverage of NALAS to include the whole of South-Eastern Europe". He then added, “We start 2023 with a new strategy for 2023-2027, which we will formalise today. I am committed to lead and support the implementation of NALAS' new strategy, even when NALAS is no longer under the umbrella of external institutional support. I believe that NALAS is stronger and more determined than ever to achieve its mission and goals. In the context of this new strategy, NALAS will continue to work with its main focus of strengthening local government associations in the Balkans. It will also continue to focus on sustainable development, the digitalisation of public services, urban resilience and social inclusion - issues of great importance to everyone in this room. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I know how successful we can be when we work together and join forces.”

ABOUT NALAS (Network of Associations of Local Authorities in South East Europe)

The network of associations of local authorities in South East Europe, headquartered in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, brings together 13 associations of local authorities representing approximately 9000 local authorities directly elected by more than 80 million citizens in South East Europe. Marmara Municipalities Union has been a member of NALAS since 2008. The Presidency of NALAS is assumed by the member local government associations based on the presidency rotation system.