Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş honored with World Mayor Capital Award

Duvar English

The City Mayors Foundation, an international think tank dedicated to urban affairs, has given the 2021 World Mayor Capital Award to Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş over what it said “his efforts and vision to build a metropolis that will equal the great capitals of Europe and Asia.”

“Yavaş has developed a leadership style based on public trust and transparency. His fight against corruption shows courage and conviction,” the organizers of the 2021 World Mayor Project said in their statement on Sept. 13.

“Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş has supported the poor and the most vulnerable segments of the society, through a range of safety-net programs, including food aid, monetary support, and the provision of other vital services. His vision for a post-Covid transformation is also laudable. He invests in green city projects, electrification of public transport, clean water and renewable energy,” they said.

The organizers further said that Yavaş “understood the importance of keeping people fully informed,” “provided internet access to areas with poor connections and made full use of social media to communicate with his fellow citizens.”

“The measures the Mayor has already introduced and his vision for the Turkish capital will make Ankara a more resilient and sustainable city,” they said.

“Judging by the thousands of testimonials and comments received by the World Mayor Project, the people of Ankara and many from other parts or Turkey believe that Mansur Yavaş will transform the city into one of the great capitals of the world.”

Yavaş was at a public event in Ankara when he received the news of winning the prestigious award. “We are very happy to win the 2021 World Mayor Capital Award. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you,” Yavaş said on his Twitter account, addressing citizens.

Since 2004, the London-based City Mayors Foundation has been intending to raise the profile of mayors worldwide, as well as honor those who have served their communities well and who have contributed to the well-being of cities, nationally and internationally. 

This year, the foundation's World Mayor Project features and honors mayors who understand that post-COVID-19 cities need to become more resilient, economically, structurally, socially and environmentally.

In addition to the World Mayor Prize, the 2021 World Mayor Project presented seven Awards in recognition of mayors’ efforts and achievements in fields such as: capital design, international relations, inclusivity, sustainability, future development, public service and community advancement.

The 2021 World Mayor Prize was given to Philippe Rio, the mayor of Gringy, France.