Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A delegation from Uzbekistan is participating in an internship program for mayors in Türkiye.

The delegation includes the mayors of Samarkand, Navoi, Fergana, Shakhrisabz, and the Yangi-Namangan district, all of whom are members of the Council of Municipalities of the Turkic World. The delegation is led by Bobur Bekmurodov, the chairman of the "Yuksalish" movement and chairman of the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis Committee.

The Union of Municipalities of the Turkic World (TDBB), founded on 12 November 2003, focuses on developing cooperation in urban governance among Turkic-speaking countries. The union comprises over 1,200 municipalities from 30 countries and actively implements projects aimed at strengthening the interaction between local government bodies.

During the visit, Shakhrisabz Mayor Sherzod Buriev and Pendik Mayor Ahmet Cin signed a cooperation protocol between Shakhrisabz (Uzbekistan) and Pendik (Türkiye), officially establishing them as sister cities.

This agreement is aimed at developing bilateral cooperation in various fields, including economics, education, healthcare, youth policy, sports, tourism, the preservation of historical and cultural heritage, ecology, energy, culture, arts, information technology, and transportation.

Earlier, Samarkand and Konya, as well as Navoi and Zeytinburnu, were made sister cities. The visit also included presentations of projects and meetings in Selçuklu and Gebze. Participation in the internship program allowed for the exchange of experience and the exploration of modern methods of urban improvement, economic growth, and the efficient use of urban resources, which can be adapted to regions in Uzbekistan.

The program promotes the strengthening of bilateral relations and the development of partnerships between cities in both countries, creating opportunities for new projects and technologies, as well as establishing connections with investors and the business community.