Mervan Semra - photo credit
Known to many as the “cradle of civilization,' Şanlıurfa, a province in the Southeast of Türkiye is no stranger to the concept of resilience. After all, the region is highly renowned for its neolithic sites and its legacy as a starting point for agriculture – meaning that their involvement as one of the 40 Pathways2Resilience regions builds on a long history of adapting to a changing world and climate. In the words of Mehmet Demir, Climate Change Branch Manager in the Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality; “our Regional Resilience Journey began 12,000 years ago with Göbeklitepe, the world's oldest known temple complex, symbolizing humanity's first steps toward organized society.'
Today, the province is home to more than 2.2 million residents, including a significant number of refugees, many of whom face combined economic challenges and climate hazards like drought, flooding, and heat waves. At the regional level, inter-institutional governance and community awareness are some of the key barriers to progress on adapting to a changing climate. But Demir notes that regional Pathways2Resilience partners seek to change that, fostering “a more coordinated and inclusive approach.'
Partners in the region look forward to Pathways2Resilience tools and knowledge exchange activities that will accelerate their Regional Resilience Journey. Demir goes on to note: “Joining Pathways2Resilience enables us to build resilience, set long-term climate goals, and access technical expertise and networks to secure financing for climate-resilient investments... Through our involvement in Pathways2Resilience, we are committed to strengthening capacity, advancing financial planning, and adopting best practices with the support of leading experts. By building networks with other regions, we will implement tailored, state-of-the-art solutions to ensure sustainable development and climate resilience for Sanliurfa.” This focus on a connected, integrated approach guides the way that Şanlıurfa will chart its Regional Resilience Journey.
Şanlıurfa is one of two regions in Türkiye selected as part of the first cohort of selected regions and communities that will take part in Pathways2Resilience – part of a wider cohort of regions facing a wide array of risks and challenges but sharing ambition in adapting to climate change. Now, Şanlıurfa counts itself as part of a transformative new approach to climate adaptation that connects them with communities and resources working toward a more resilient future.
