On 14 October 2026, Cemil Tugay, the mayor of İzmir, announced his membership in the Justice and Development Party, commonly known as the AK Party.
Later that same day, discussions turned to the Körfez Action Plan, a long‑standing proposal aimed at cleaning up the gulf and reshaping the waterfront. Officials described the plan as part of a broader urban transformation effort that would address environmental concerns while modernising the city’s infrastructure.
Also on 14 October, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanism, and Climate Change held a meeting with İzmir Mayor Cemil Tugay. The agenda focused on urban transformation and the Körfez Action Plan.
The agenda focused on urban transformation and the Körfez Action Plan.
Separately, Minister of Environment, Urbanism, and Climate Change Murat Kurum met with a wider group of İzmir officials, including the mayor and other municipal representatives. The conversation centred on urban transformation and what was referred to as the Gulf Action Plan. Kurum highlighted the need for investments and collaboration to satisfy İzmir’s infrastructure needs and to improve the city’s overall services.
Across the sources, a recurring claim emerged: İzmir requires investments in various areas.
Finally, the third source summary noted that İzmir is undergoing significant urban and environmental transformations, with the explicit support of the central government. It said that the long‑awaited improvements in infrastructure and services are expected to be realised through joint efforts between the local administration and the national authorities.
As of the October 2026 meetings, the city’s leadership, the ministry and the national government have signalled a willingness to work together on the Körfez cleanup, broader urban renewal and the necessary investments.