Ambassador Mustafa Osman Turan

During the B40 Balkan Cities Network Summit in Zagreb I have presented our initiative called “International Observatory for Mayors at Risk” (IOMAR), a global platform to defend the autonomy of mayors, monitor threats to local democracy, and mobilise solidarity across borders.

IOMAR, designed as a city-led solidarity and early-warning platform, aims to combine political will, technical expertise, independent monitoring, and a broad coalition of partners.

Across the world, mayors are increasingly at the forefront of defending democratic values, fundamental rights, and the rule of law. Yet, for that reason, they are also among the most vulnerable actors in political systems.

Over the past decade, we have witnessed a rise in authoritarian practices targeting local governments; elected mayors removed from office, detained, subjected to judicial harassment, politically motivated investigations, financial strangulation, or silenced or discredited through orchestrated media campaigns. In some countries, mayors have faced threats to their lives.

It is in this context that the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality proposed the establishment of IOMAR.

For more information, you may wish to read my recent article on Substack link in story.

🇪🇺 Standing Up for the Will of the People
📍 Brussels Democracy Rally
🗓️ Sunday, 12 October 2025 – Place Jean Rey, Brussels

From his cell in Silivri Prison, Istanbul’s elected Mayor and CHP Presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu calls on all European mayors, political leaders, civil-society representatives, and citizens to stand together for democracy, justice, and free elections.

“Your presence in Brussels will send a strong message of unity among European cities and citizens in upholding democracy and the right of people to choose their leaders freely.”

The rally — led by CHP Chair Özgür Özel — seeks to unite European democrats in response to the unlawful detention of elected mayors in Türkiye.

🕛 Gathering: 12:00
🎙️ Speeches: 14:00
🔚 Closing: 17:00

I will be there!

🌍 Last week, on behalf of I have joined fellow mayors and city leaders at the Urban20 Mayors Summit in Johannesburg, amplifying the collective voice of cities within the G20.

In the Summit Communiqué as the G20 city leaders we affirmed that “cities are pillars of democratic values, safeguarding fundamental freedoms, human rights, progressive principles, and the rule of law amidst threats to democratic institutions.” Also we “condemned all forms of violence against peaceful communities and stand in unwavering solidarity with mayors, local leaders and public officials who have been unlawfully targeted, detained, or subjected to violence.”

Beyond the sessions, the summit was an invaluable space for dialogue and new partnerships, strengthening ties between Istanbul and the global U20 community.

For me it was a nostalgic trip back to the world of G20 as I was actively involved in the organization of G20 Turkish Presidency in 2015 as part of the Sherpa team.

“Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often.”
~ Mark Twain

“Brotherhood is not being born of the same mother and father; it is being united in the same truth.”
~ Rumi

ADAYIMI YANIMDA, SANDIĞI ÖNÜMDE GÖRMEK İSTİYORUM! Cumhurbaşkanı adayımız Ekrem İmamoğlu‘na özgürlük için, erken seçim için: Şimdi imzanı at!

The disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party “presents a golden opportunity for Turkey to reframe its regional role”, writes the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul econ.st/3GZC92c

Illustration: Dan Williams

Ekrem İmamoğlu’na verilen özel demokrasi ödülünü EuroCities Başkanı Leipzig Belediye Başkanı Burkhard Jung’dan Muğla Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanımız Ahmet Aras ile birlikte Portekiz’in Braga kentlinde düzenlenen EuroCities Genel Kurulu sırasında aldık.

Ekrem Başkan, Ahmet Başkan’ın okuduğu teşekkür mesajında, bu ödülün Türkiye’de özgürlük talep eden gençlere, eşitlik için yürüyen kadınlara ve demokrasinden vazgeçmeyen sessiz milyonlara ait olduğunu söyledi. Ahmet Başkan, Avrupalı Belediye Başkanlarını İstanbul’a davet etti.

Türkiye’nin cesur demokratlarını tüm dünya ama özellikle Avrupa yakından izliyor. Hükümetlerin suskunluğu Avrupalı yerel liderlerin ve demokratların dayanışmasını gölgede bırakmamalı.

Aynı toplantıda görevi devralan EuroCities’in yeni Başkanı Ghent Belediye Başkanı Mathias de Clercq, görev süresi boyunca en önemli önceliğinin demokratik değerlerin korunması olacağını, bu çerçevede, Ağustos ayı sonunda kendisine katılacak Belediye Başkanlarıyla birlikte İstanbul’u ziyaret edeceğini açıkladı.

Türkiye’yi cesur kadınlarımız ve gençlerimiz çıkaracak bu karanlıktan. Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu

The road ahead for Turkey is difficult, writes Ekrem Imamoglu’s wife in a guest essay. “However, those who believe that imprisoning individuals will silence ideas are mistaken”

https://econ.trib.al/rIzgvNi Illustration: Dan Williams