OBJECTIVES OF THE SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGION MUNICIPALITIES UNION

The union works to fulfill the duties and services of its member municipalities as defined below:

• It brings together the municipalities specified in Article 5 under the union's umbrella.
• The union protects the rights and interests of its member municipalities and works to strengthen the capacities of local governments and employees.
• To promote the concept of municipalism and urbanism, it facilitates the exchange of information and experience among its members. It supports, rewards, and promotes the spread of exemplary practices among its members.
• The union conducts joint training and research in the working areas of municipalities and local governments, establishes and manages a research institute and local government academy. It follows developments in municipalism worldwide and organizes workshops, panels, symposia, round-table meetings, technical and professional trips, etc., on issues concerning municipalities. It engages in all kinds of printing and publishing activities to inform member municipalities.
• The union provides technical consultancy, planning, and project services to member municipalities. It receives or purchases equipment, machinery, etc., from domestic and international markets and establishes joint vehicle parks. The union benefits from domestic and international grants/credits.
• The union establishes, operates, and manages companies in collaboration with public institutions or their established companies or in areas related to municipal tasks. It produces and provides building materials and equipment necessary for urban services. It creates consumption centers at different levels and establishes and operates the necessary facilities to regulate consumption. The union engages in economic ventures to meet the needs of the regions within its field of activity, produces industrial goods and services.
• To reveal the tourism potential of the region and protect its environmental, historical, and cultural values, the union supports and mobilizes all its resources for all kinds of projects and works. It pioneers or participates in environmental and cultural formations and conducts activities. It provides common services for the protection of shared cultural and environmental values affecting multiple member municipalities, the acquisition of joint service vehicles, and similar services in collaboration with relevant municipalities if authorized.
• The union conducts regional-scale joint planning and project activities for environmental protection and waste management and coordinates its members to solve environmental problems. It can establish a service unit for this purpose.
• The union works to contribute to social, economic, and cultural development in line with the sustainable development goal, conducts surveys and research, participates in and contributes to such studies. The union shares its work with the public and relevant authorities.
• It represents its members on national and international platforms and before central authorities. The union conducts research, forms opinions, and lobbies in favor of municipalities regarding legal and administrative regulations.
• The union establishes relationships, cooperates, and conducts joint projects with international organizations, local government unions, associations, etc., and when necessary, becomes a member of such organizations. It represents its member municipalities in these organizations and facilitates their relationships with other country municipalities.
• It contributes to peace and brotherhood by developing sister city relations between its members and other cities and municipalities.
• The union contributes to the necessary tasks and preparations for local governments during the European Union accession process and helps member municipalities benefit from EU grants, technical assistance, twinning, etc. programs and opportunities. The union participates in and contributes to activities related to local governments in the framework of EU membership negotiations on behalf of its members, and for this purpose, it can establish a service unit.
• The union acquires, sells, rents, leases, or uses real estate jointly.
• In accordance with relevant legislation and the provisions of this regulation, the union engages in any activity or initiative that contributes to the development of municipalism. It makes strategic plans, participates in such activities of public and private institutions.