IMM Head of Foreign Relations Mr. Barbaros Büyüksağnak Represented Istanbul at the “Cities as Global Actors 2025” Conference in Berlin

Head of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Department of Foreign Relations, Mr. Barbaros Büyüksağnak, together with Foreign Relations Department Director Fahri Murat Tuncay, represented Istanbul at the “Cities as Global Actors 2025” Conference, held on 1–3 December 2025 in cooperation with the Berlin European Academy and the Berlin Senate Chancellery.

Aiming to deepen Berlin’s relations with its 19 sister cities and to shape the future of city diplomacy, the conference brought together high-level representatives from 12 partner cities. The public session of the event was held under the theme “Cities as Climate Actors: Responsibility, Innovation, Action.”

The opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Florian Hauer, Berlin State Secretary for Federal, International and European Affairs. In the keynote addresses, Potsdam Institute Director Prof. Dr. Johan Rockström outlined the scientific foundations of the “Planetary Boundaries” framework and highlighted the critical role of cities in climate action; this was followed by Prof. Carlos Moreno, Scientific Advisor to the Mayor of Paris, who presented innovative approaches to sustainable urban transformation through the “15-Minute City” model. During the workshop sessions, participants engaged in an extensive exchange of views on the main objectives of partner cities’ international activities, cooperation priorities, tools used, success stories, challenges encountered, and scenario planning for 2026.

One of the highlights of the event was the panel titled “From Science to Strategy: Urban Innovation for a Sustainable Future.” Joining Prof. Rockström and Prof. Moreno on this panel, IMM Foreign Relations Department Head Mr. Barbaros Büyüksağnak briefed the audience on Istanbul’s international cooperation vision, its city diplomacy efforts, and its strategic approaches to climate-focused urban policies.

On the final day of the program, field visits were organized to the European Energy Forum Gasworks and the former Tempelhof Airport, where participants examined exemplary European practices in energy transition and urban regeneration on site.