Sister Cities: Samarkand and Konya
The cities of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and Konya, Türkiye, have officially become sister cities after the signing of a cooperation protocol during a visit from an Uzbek delegation to Türkiye. The agreement aims to strengthen bilateral ties and create new opportunities for collaboration in areas such as education, tourism, and economic development.
As part of a delegation from Uzbekistan participating in an internship program for governors in Turkey, a meeting was held in Konya on February 10 between Bobur Bekmurodov, Chairman of the “Yuksalish” movement, and Ibrahim Altay, President of the Union of Municipalities of the Turkic World and Mayor of Konya.
Discussions centered on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and expand it further. During the meeting, a cooperation protocol was signed between Fazliddin Umarov, the governor of Samarkand city, and Ibrahim Altay, officially establishing Samarkand and Konya as sister cities.
Konya, known for its rich history and cultural heritage, is one of Turkey’s largest cities and serves as a major industrial and agricultural center. The city is a popular tourist destination and offers ample opportunities for youth development through its universities and technoparks that support IT sector growth and scientific research.
The protocol emphasizes the commitment of both cities to develop their partnership based on mutual respect, trust, and equality. Areas of cooperation include economic development, education, healthcare, youth policy, sports, tourism, historical and cultural heritage preservation, ecology, energy, culture, the arts, information technology, and transportation.
The agreement also includes provisions to support investors and entrepreneurs, facilitate joint projects funded by international organizations, and launch social initiatives to assist vulnerable groups in society.
The signing of the protocol marks a significant step in strengthening the friendly ties between Samarkand and Konya, paving the way for shared experiences and collaborative projects. During the visit, a presentation was conducted at Konya’s municipality on the region’s affordable housing programs, and a roundtable discussion was held on “Prospects for Tourism Development in the Current Context,” exploring opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector.
