İstanbul, an ancient and colorful city where eastern and western cultures meet and blend, is considered “the heart of civilizations” by historians.

The Fourth World Mayors’ Summit, which we will host on April 12-15, 2007, will largely dwell upon multicultural understanding, the role of cities and local governments in developing peace and cooperation between cities. The summit is thus of great significance.

Intercultural dialogue has become one of the most prominent solutions for living together in peace and harmony in a world where diversity is conceived as an asset.

İstanbul, the capital city of three great empires, has much to say to the world as a metropolis where people of different religions, cultures and languages have always lived side by side in harmony.

The role of local administrations has undergone a transformation, becoming a driving force in defining world politics.

The path to global peace is built on strengthening local and regional cooperation, which plays a vital role in the development of democracy, the economy and culture. 

As our resources and problems have already reached the limits of local and regional means, local administrations have to act as pioneers in the dissemination of economic welfare, democracy and peace.

Nowadays, the local administrations’ mission goes beyond providing technical services and infrastructure and has acquired new dimensions aimed at providing social services. I want to assure you that these important topics have been taken into consideration while drafting our summit’s agenda. 

I believe that our mutual experience, innovative methods and efficient cooperation will act as a beacon to enlighten national administrations globally.

Cooperation between our cities will help us acquire more power, strength and efficiency.

I wish to welcome you to our beautiful city, famous for its hospitality as well as its historical and cultural heritage, and hope that our summit conference will help us concentrate our efforts on the restoration of global peace and development.