International Agriculture Union Meets in Çatalhöyük

The 3rd Ordinary General Assembly Meeting of the International Agricultural Cities Union (AGRICITIES) was held in Çatalhöyük, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that witnessed the birth of agriculture 10,000 years ago.

Speaking at the General Assembly Meeting held at the Çatalhöyük Promotion and Welcome Center of the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, with the participation of member municipalities from Turkey and abroad, President of the International Agricultural Cities Union and Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality Uğur İbrahim Altay expressed his pleasure in hosting the 3rd Ordinary General Assembly Meeting of the International Agricultural Cities Union on the land that carries the legacy of Çatalhöyük, where the first agricultural activities in human history took place.

Mayor Altay stated that this city, which carries the legacy of the first hands to sow seeds in the soil of Çatalhöyük, holds not only Turkey’s but all of humanity’s agricultural memory. He said, “As Ibn Khaldun said, ‘Geography is destiny.’ This saying reflects a profound truth that defines not only the mountains and rivers, but also the birth, rise, and even transformation of civilizations.”

Highlighting that agriculture is no longer merely a domestic issue but a strategic field that transcends borders and shapes international relations, Mayor Altay said: “The pandemic, followed by the Russia-Ukraine war and the resulting grain crisis, food nationalism, food logistics, global economic vulnerabilities, and new-generation trade wars have once again revealed how vital food independence is. In this context, supporting agricultural production, protecting farmers, and preserving our native seeds is no longer just an economic choice—it is a duty to the homeland. Just as the homeland is not merely defined by borders, food is not just products lined on a shelf. Food is the identity of the land. Food is the continuation of culture. Food is the guarantee of the future. Those who lose their food also lose their will and independence. A nation without food security has no true political, economic, or cultural independence—it is merely an illusion.”

Konya Governor İbrahim Akın also stated that by taking the lead as the founding city of the International Agricultural Cities Union, Konya has transformed its deep-rooted connection to the land into a global vision. He thanked the Konya Metropolitan Municipality for leading the establishment process and for successfully managing the union’s central coordination today, and expressed his gratitude to Mayor Altay for his contributions.

Following the General Assembly, guests visited the Çatalhöyük Promotion and Welcome Center and explored the Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük.