Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yücel Yılmaz was elected as the President of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (TBB). Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yücel Yılmaz was elected as the Presidency of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey, following the Vice Presidency of the United Cities and Local Governments World Organization and the Future Pact for Management Ambassadorship. Mayor Yılmaz took over the seat from Gaziantep Mayor Fatma Şahin.
The Union of Municipalities of Turkey Ordinary Assembly Meeting was held in Ankara and voted for its new president. Addressing the general assembly, the Chairman of the Union of Municipalities of Turkey and the Mayor of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Yücel Yılmaz stated that the union, which was established as an association in 1945, had an important mission in terms of developing the understanding of local administrations and municipalism.
'Development starts locally'
Stating that cities no longer compete in the world, Mayor Yılmaz said, “Democracy and development start from the local. For this reason, the union of municipalities, the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye is very important. This union is one of the most rooted organizations in Turkey, which has been bringing together all mayors under one roof since 1945, and was established to meet and strengthen the expectations and needs of local governments. We are aware of our responsibility,” he said.
'We will do our best'
Yücel Yılmaz, who stated that he had the opportunity to represent Balıkesir and Turkey in very different international platforms during his 9 years as the mayor, said, “United Cities and Local Governments World Organization Vice Presidency, Future Pact for Management Ambassadorship and Council of Europe, Euro-Mediterranean Regional and We have duties in the Local Council. By Allah's leave, as the Union of Municipalities of Turkey, we will do our best to represent our country and our municipalities in the best possible way.”
Hawk; 'We trust our president'
Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, who handed over the duty of TBB Presidency to Yücel Yılmaz, said, “Our president is a young and dynamic president. I am a witness to his work for his city, I am a witness to his vision internationally. We trust you,” he said.