“Rebuilding Stronger Together: EU Support for Earthquake Recovery & PACE Project Local Administrations Conference” realized in the scope of the Participatory, Inclusive and Green Recovery for Local Public Services in Earthquake-Affected Regions Project (PACE) was held in Hatay.

 

PACE Pilot Projects with the Adıyaman, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Malatya Chambers of Industry and Commerce were formalized with the signing ceremony held during the conference. In addition, panels and workshops attended by expert speakers addressed sustainable business development, good practices for improving municipal public services, and access to green finance for the earthquake-affected region. With participation from the EU Delegation, regional governorates, metropolitan and district municipalities, as well as ambassadors and representatives of EU member states, the conference offered a strong, multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and cooperation on regional development.

The conference was attended by the Chargé d’Affaires of the EU Delegation Mr. Jurgis Vilčinskas; Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany Embassy Mr. Stefan Bredohl; Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate for EU Affairs General Director for Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation Mr. Bülent Özcan; Governor of Hatay Mr. Mustafa Masatlı; Mayor of Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mr. Mehmet Öntürk; Director at the European Commission’s Directorate‑General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) Ms. Sofia Alves; GIZ Türkiye Country Director Mr. Robert Künne; Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB) Deputy Secretary General Dr. Şengül Altan Arslan and ambassadors/embassy representatives of EU member states.

 

The PACE Project jointly funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is coordinated by Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate for EU Affairs in collaboration with the Directorate General for Local Authorities of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Union of Provinces and The Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT). The project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

 

The PACE Project aims to contribute to post‑earthquake recovery by supporting the inclusive and sustainable delivery of local public services in the earthquake‑affected regions.