The Union of Municipalities of the Southeastern Anatolia Region (GABB), established in 1991 and based in Diyarbakır, is one of Türkiye’s long-established and inclusive regional local government unions. With its pluralistic structure that brings together different political perspectives, the Union represents both geographical and socio-political diversity. Its governing bodies are structured in accordance with a co-presidency model and the principle of equal representation.
GABB operates with the understanding that local governments should not be merely administrative bodies providing services, but community-based and participatory structures that represent the will of the people, social justice, and collective life. It embraces decentralised governance, participatory democracy, gender equality, and ecological transformation as its core principles.
With the aim of contributing to the sustainable development of the region, the Union strengthens cooperation and solidarity among its member municipalities. It supports the spread of a local governance culture that prioritises the rights of citizens living in both urban and rural areas, quality of service, and environmental sensitivity. GABB is a local government union that encourages solidarity, knowledge sharing, and joint problem-solving among its member municipalities, and provides services in areas such as technical consultancy, project support, training activities, and environmental protection. It represents its members at both national and international levels and develops strategic partnerships to help them achieve their sustainable development goals.
The Union of Municipalities of the Southeastern Anatolia Region (GABB) approaches the climate crisis as a multidimensional issue with deep impacts at the local level and focuses on strengthening the climate action capacities of its member municipalities. Among its key priorities are the development of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, enhancement of environmental resilience, promotion of sustainable energy transition at the local level, waste management, and the dissemination of nature-based solutions.
To support the strategic planning of local governments in the face of climate change, GABB conducts data-driven analyses and needs-based capacity-building activities. It guides its members in climate-related technical consultancy, access to external funding, and project development processes. The Union also promotes regional cooperation for experience-sharing and joint climate projects among municipalities, playing a facilitative role in accessing climate financing opportunities.
Within this scope, GABB develops partnerships with national and international networks to enhance the capacity of its member municipalities in designing, implementing, and monitoring climate policies. It aims to support the development of holistic and locally grounded solutions to the climate crisis in line with the principles of ecological transformation, social justice, and participatory governance.
In this context, institutional capacity-building activities are being carried out for GABB and its member municipalities in the field of climate action.