“Cultural Convergence”: Local Governments Unite at UCLG Culture Summit

The Culture Summit organized by the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), held in Dublin from November 28 to December 1, 2023, aimed not only to strengthen the position of culture but also to promote networking, collaborative learning, and the sharing of best practices among cities worldwide. The theme of this year's summit, attended by numerous local government representatives, was “Culture. Future. Goal. We Act to Bring Local Visions to Global Tables.” The summit facilitated collaboration and dialogue by bringing together policymakers, local and national governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international organizations, in addition to UCLG, which represents the most comprehensive network of local and regional governments, encompassing 240,000 cities worldwide.

During the opening speech of the session titled "Public Spaces, Communities, Trust in Artists," moderated by Dr. Mehmet DUMAN, the Secretary-General of the United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA) and the Chairman of the Board of the World Academy for Local Government and Democracy Foundation (WALD), he emphasized the importance of the connection between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and culture. Dr. DUMAN stated, "We strongly encourage a new movement towards strengthening the foundations of culture in our society and incorporating it as the fourth pillar of sustainable development. Culture is the essence of our governance policies and a driving force in achieving a Sustainable Urban Future."