📩 27/09/2023 11:01
Speaking at the autumn meeting of the World City Izmir Association (DİDER), Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and DİDER Honorary President Tunç SoyerStating that they are working to make Izmir one of the most important port cities of the Mediterranean, he said: “The cooperation we started with DİDER continues to grow stronger and develop. We are all Izmir lovers. "We will introduce Izmir to the world together with you," he said.
The autumn meeting of the World City Izmir Association (DİDER) was held at the Historical Gas Factory Youth Campus. Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and Honorary President of DİDER attended the meeting. Tunç Soyer, representatives of non-governmental organizations and Izmir business world, consuls general and honorary consuls attended. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Soyer, who made the opening speech, touched upon the importance of the work of the World City Izmir Association and said, “The idea of DİDER was truly an exciting idea from the moment it first emerged. There are very few moments when the fates and work areas of a local government and a non-governmental organization are so intertwined. With its name and glory, the world city Izmir actually represents the vision of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. As Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, our main mission is to make Izmir, which has been one of the most important port cities in the world with its history of thousands of years, once again one of the most important port cities in the Mediterranean. "Returning Izmir to its old days and reintroducing it to the whole world that it is one of the most powerful and beautiful cities in the world," he said.
“Have you seen cities at war?”
Referring to the increasing importance of cities and their contributions to peace, Mayor Soyer continued his speech as follows: “'World city Izmir' is perhaps one of the indicators of transformation in the history of diplomacy. A change began in the history of diplomacy. There is a new type of diplomacy called city diplomacy. Cities began to take up more space in the human arena with competition and solidarity among themselves. Cities have begun to acquire very important powers that will shape the world of the future. The brand value of Paris has become greater than that of France, and the brand value of London has become greater than that of England. That's why the cooperation and even the competition of cities has a very important contribution to world peace. The cooperation we started with DİDER to make Izmir one of the strongest port cities in the Mediterranean, as it was in the old days, continues and will continue to grow stronger and develop. We are all Izmir lovers. And I know that we will make Izmir a shining star in the coming period.”
“A lobby is needed to understand the value of this city.”
Referring to the importance of multifaceted collaborations for the promotion of the city, Soyer said, “A lobby is needed to understand the value of this city. In other words, promotional activities and effort are required. These things don't happen on their own anymore. It is not enough for only the municipality or public institution to carry out that lobbying activity. This work cannot be done without volunteers and lovers. They are you. "And together with you, we will carry Izmir to the place it deserves," he said.
“Izmir has many lovers abroad”
DİDER Chairman of the Board of Directors Ahmet Güler said, “As an association, we are making intense efforts to introduce the cultural riches of Izmir to the world. We have been working hard for four years to promote Izmir abroad and strengthen our relations. Dear President Tunç SoyerWe have opened up to the world and especially Europe with this project, which is compatible with the vision of making Izmir one of the most important cities of the Mediterranean basin. We have promotion offices in nearly 10 locations. Izmir has many lovers abroad. These people voluntarily established Izmir Promotion Offices. "In this way, we have represented Izmir abroad with many projects," he said.
“We are working hard”
Head of DİDER Berlin Office and Germany SözcüRemzi Kaplan, on the other hand, said, “We, as the DİDER family, are working hard in unity and solidarity to introduce our beautiful Izmir to Europe. The leadership of our President Tunç gives us morale and strength. We are proud to be a member of the greater Izmir community. We want to promote the Izmir business world more strongly in Germany next year. "We, as DİDER offices, will continue our work as Izmir lovers," he said.
“We made a good start”
DİDER Frankfurt Office President Arif Arslaner said, “We made a great start by hosting Tunç President in Frankfurt 3 years ago. We want the development in Turkey to be strengthened and our country to integrate with Europe through Izmir. "This is achieved by complementing each other with economic exchange, social and cultural exchange," he said.
Izmir Offices Participation Share Model was introduced
DİDER's promotional film was shown at the night. In the reception area, "Izmir Offices Participation Fee Model" and "2024 Germany-Izmir Investment Summit" information boards, which will be launched soon in order to promote Izmir's business world more strongly and effectively in the international community.