A strong partnership for climate action is taking shape between the cities of Larissa, Greece and Izmir, Turkey. The mayors of the two municipalities—Ahanasios Mamakos of Larissa and Cemil Tugay of Izmir—met recently in Izmir to discuss their shared goals for climate-neutral, smart, and resilient urban development.
Mamakos visited Izmir at the head of a municipal delegation as part of the European “Twin Cities” initiative. This collaborative program brings together cities to exchange knowledge, strategies, and solutions in tackling climate change and transitioning toward greener urban futures.
Izmir is one of 100 European cities selected to achieve climate neutrality by 2030, taking part in the EU mission as a designated pilot city. Larissa has been paired with Izmir as its “twin city” in this ambitious effort, a role that includes close collaboration on environmental policy, the exchange of best practices, and mutual support in implementing local green initiatives.
“Our partnership with Izmir strengthens both cities in their common path toward climate-neutral, smart, and resilient development,” said Mamakos. He also noted that their cooperation is based on equal exchange and community empowerment, adding that they shared experiences, technologies, and policies to reduce environmental impact and achieve climate neutrality.
The visit concluded with a strategic planning workshop led by expert Mónica Castañeda, where the next steps of the cooperation were mapped out. As part of the exchange, a delegation from Izmir is scheduled to visit Larissa in early October 2025. During that visit, the municipality of Larissa will highlight its green transition policies and its “Green Deals” with local institutions and stakeholders.
The project is expected to culminate in a final joint meeting in Izmir in 2026, where both cities will present the outcomes of their collaboration, including successful practices, applied solutions, and policy synergies.
