A Sustainable Agriculture Model Takes the Global Stage

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki presented the “Bornova Community Gardens” project at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP31, hosted by Türkiye in Antalya. Speaking during the conference sessions themed “Food, Agriculture and Health,” Mayor Eşki shared with international participants the critical role of local food production in combating the climate crisis, accompanied by koruk sherbet made from Bornova Misket grapes, which hold a geographical indication.

The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the world’s most comprehensive climate summit, brings together global leaders and local governments in Antalya to negotiate measures to combat climate change, with approximately 200 countries participating. At the summit, hosted and chaired by Türkiye, the focus is on an “implementation” approach that translates existing climate commitments into concrete action on the ground. In this context, Bornova Municipality took its place in the Green Zone, the area of the conference open to all visitors, showcasing its environmentally friendly and productive projects developed at the neighborhood level.

Local Values and Climate Action at the Same Table

Taking the stage during sessions organized under the theme “Food, Agriculture and Health,” Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki presented details of the “Bornova Community Gardens” model, which protects the district’s agricultural heritage and supports urban food production. Eşki highlighted the importance of local seeds, traditional crops passed down through generations, and sustainable agricultural practices for global food security.

Mayor Eşki: “We Are Strengthening Climate Action at the Neighborhood Level”

Emphasizing that local governments have a key responsibility in achieving global climate targets, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki said:

“Local governments are the institutions that feel the effects of the climate crisis most directly and are able to develop solutions together with the public. In line with COP31’s implementation-focused vision, we are moving climate action in Bornova beyond abstract targets and turning it into concrete projects at the neighborhood level. Through our Community Gardens, we bring our residents together with healthy, clean food, while our composting initiatives return waste to the soil and help us build a circular ecosystem. By presenting koruk sherbet made from our geographically indicated Bornova Misket grapes to the international community here, we are demonstrating that protecting our local values is, in fact, equivalent to protecting our shared global future.”

Strong Interest in Bornova’s Stand in the Green Zone

Bornova Municipality presented its initiatives to visitors at a dedicated stand in the Green Zone, highlighting work that also aligns with the summit’s vision of “Resilient Cities and the Built Environment.” Models of community gardens and composting systems displayed at the stand provided participants with a visual guide to the recycling of organic waste and the practical implementation of urban agriculture. The stand attracted considerable interest from both local and international visitors, who were also offered refreshing koruk sherbet made from Bornova’s iconic Misket grapes throughout the day.