‘The Future of the Gulf is the Future of Izmir’ Workshop concluded
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The Izmir Gulf Workshop, organized in collaboration with IZPA, IZSU General Directorate, and IZDENIZ A.Ş. to outline a roadmap for future efforts concerning the Gulf, was held on November 27 at the Alsancak Historical Coal Gas Factory. The workshop, titled "The Future of the Gulf Is the Future of Izmir," brought together approximately 200 participants who discussed the topic across three main themes at 13 separate tables.
At the workshop, discussions were held under the themes of Preservation and Sustainability of Gulf Ecology, Development and Diversification of Maritime Transportation in Izmir, and Integrated Coastal Zone Management. The current situation and issues were analyzed, and short-, medium-, and long-term solutions were proposed.
Delivering a speech at the workshop, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay emphasized:
“If we are to achieve meaningful outcomes from this workshop, we must move beyond thinking that crises will resolve themselves once we develop solutions after they occur, believing they will not recur again. We must not oversimplify the issues. Examples from many cities around the world were mentioned. It is important to understand that it is a problem that can be seen in many places around the world. While its exact causes may not yet be entirely clear, it is evident that it is connected to the disruption of marine ecosystems through biological processes. We must not overlook the negative effects of climate change on marine pollution. This is a problem that affects all the seas of the world. There is undoubtedly a biological and chemical transformation occurring in the composition of the seas, and climate change plays a significant role in this transformation as well.”
In his speech at the workshop, Prof. Dr. Koray Velibeyoğlu, Head of IZPA, stated: “We place the Izmir Gulf at the center of our lives and continue our efforts for a resilient and clean gulf in the face of climate change. By considering the impacts of climate change on the gulf ecosystem, we are developing a comprehensive vision through both emergency action plans and master plans.”
The outcomes of the workshop will be compiled into a report and shared with the public in the coming weeks.