Jan 21, 2020

UNDP Turkey Gender Equality Strategy 2017-2020

Gender equality is an essential part of human rights, which is one of the main pillars of the United Nations (UN) System, in addition to human security and sustainable development.

Jan 8, 2020

Municipal Forum 2019 Event Summary Report

In 2019 alone, 70 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced as a result of conflict or natural disasters. Large movements of migrants, refugees and internally displaced groups across the world and their hosting communities are faced with significant challenges to cope with and recover sustainably from the impact. At the same time, solutions may provide also opportunities to transform development processes and systems allowing for improved resilience moving forward. The role of municipalities in creating inclusive communities and fostering local development in response to large scale displacement has never been as important. Mayors, local authorities and their communities have long been at the forefront of responding to displacement and migration. Municipalities have led social and economic inclusion efforts, such as facilitating access to services for refugees and migrants and implementing expanded infrastructure and administrative systems to accommodate increased demand. In many cases they have provided access to employment and livelihoods opportunities, housing, health care, education, and skills and language training for newcomers and long-term residents alike. Mayors have played a central role in not only meeting immediate needs of newly arriving refugees and migrants, but also capitalizing on the opportunities that new residents bring in terms of longer term social and economic growth and building urban resilience. Local authorities are those closest to the people and confronted with challenges and opportunities on a daily basis. They are therefore in an unique position to transform local development and accelerate innovation by facilitating the inclusion of refugees and migrants. The Global Municipal Forum, which took place on 26-27 November 2019, brought together over 400 participants from all regions, including 60 high level speakers of which more than 35 mayors. The forum was co-organized by UNDP, UNHCR, IOM, the Metropolitan Municipality of Gaziantep, United Cities and Local Governments Middle Eastern and West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA), the Union of Municipalities of Turkey and WALD. The Forum was hosted in Turkey, currently home to the largest number of refugees in the world. The forum took place in Gaziantep City, which hosts 500,000 Syrian under temporary protection.

Dec 10, 2019

Private Sector Engagement In The Syria Crisis Response: Opportunities and Challenges Report

Today, the main agenda of the Syria Crisis Response in Turkey is the access of Syrians to the income and employment opportunities that would create self-reliance and prevent them from depending on humanitarian assistance it’s the long-term sustainability of which is subject to uncertainties. Durable solutions to such a protracted crisis will only be possible if the resilience of individuals, communities and institutions is strengthened, so that refugees are able to rely on their own resources rather than humanitarian assistance.