The 40th Anniversary Programme of UNESCO World Heritage Held with the Participation of Deputy Minister Alpaslan, Governor Gül and Mayor Turan

The programme, attended by Mr. Nadir Alpaslan, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism; Mr. Davut Gül, the Governor of İstanbul; and Mr. M. Ergün Turan, the Mayor of Fatih Municipality served as a reminder of Istanbul's 40-year journey on the UNESCO World Heritage List with a sense of universal responsibility.

Istanbul, with its historical fabric embodying thousands of years of civilisation, gained a universal identity when it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. The 40 years since this important decision was made have once again highlighted the value of the city not only for Türkiye but for all of humanity. The special programme organised by the Fatih Municipality at the Çatladıkapı Social Facilities to mark the anniversary was attended by a wide range of participants from both national and international circles.

The event was attended by Mr. Nadir Alpaslan, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism; Mr. Davut Gül, Governor of İstanbul; Mr. M. Ergün Turan, Mayor of Fatih Municipality; Mr. Cafer Sarılı, District Governor of Fatih; Mr. Hüseyin Keskin, Istanbul Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism as well as representatives from member countries of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. In the protocol speeches, attention was drawn to Istanbul's world heritage identity, and the importance of joint efforts by the state, local administrations and international organisations in preserving this heritage was emphasised.

In his speech, Mr. M. Ergün Turan, the Mayor of Fatih Municipality referred to Istanbul's deep-rooted memory and said:

“Istanbul is a city where civilisations meet, where different faiths, cultures and arts have intertwined for thousands of years. UNESCO’s designation of these areas as World Heritage Sites 40 years ago has not only honoured us, but also brought a great responsibility upon us. As Fatih Municipality, we will continue to work with all our stakeholders to protect this heritage and pass it on to future generations.”

Mr. Nadir Alpaslan, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, stated that the restoration and conservation projects of Türkiye in recent years have attracted international attention. Mr. Davut Gül, Governor of İstanbul, emphasised that the city's historical values are not merely elements serving tourism but also the foundations that uphold social memory and identity.

Representatives of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee also highlighted the determination of Türkiye in preserving the universal value of Istanbul. Committee members stated that the restoration and conservation projects carried out in the Historic Peninsula, in particular, set an example for the whole world.

The programme also featured a special presentation on the sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The historical significance of sites such as Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Mosque, Süleymaniye Mosque and Complex, Zeyrek Mosque (Pantokrator Monastery), Karasurları and its surroundings, and the value they add to Istanbul's skyline were highlighted. This presentation once again demonstrated why Istanbul is at the heart of world heritage.

In their speeches, Mr. Cafer Sarılı, District Governor of Fatih, and Mr. Hüseyin Keskin, Istanbul Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism, emphasised that cultural heritage is not only the responsibility of state institutions but also of all segments of society, and that it is necessary to act with this awareness.

The 40th anniversary celebration programme served as a reminder that Istanbul's journey on the UNESCO World Heritage List is not merely a title, but a lasting legacy left to the collective memory of human history. Hosted by the Fatih Municipality, this meaningful gathering powerfully demonstrated the critical role that international solidarity and social awareness play in preserving Istanbul's historical identity.