The Northern Cyprus Cities Forum, organized on June 5, 2026, in collaboration with Near East University, Gönyeli-Alayköy Municipality, and the Association of Biologists, brought together experts from different disciplines on sustainable urbanization, environmental management, and urban development. The Near East University Faculty of Agriculture Dean and faculty members made significant scientific contributions to the event with two oral presentations and one poster presentation.

The oral presentation titled “The Importance of Agriculture in Cities in the Context of Sustainable Development: Examples from Around the World,” prepared by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Özge Özden, Dr. Sinem Yıldırım, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Valiollah Palangi, was presented. The presentation addressed the role of agricultural activities in cities in achieving sustainable development goals, their impact on food security, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. Models of plant and animal production in urban areas to increase food accessibility were explained, illustrated with practical examples from different cities around the world.

In the same session, the study titled “Nicosia’s Green Transformation; Public Spaces, Biodiversity and Quality of Life: Cities in Harmony with Nature,” prepared by Prof. Dr. Salih Gücel, Dr. Sinem Yıldırım, and Prof. Dr. Özge Özden, was also shared with the participants. The presentation emphasized that increasing green spaces in cities contributes to the conservation of biodiversity, strengthening ecological balance, and improving the quality of life for city residents.

Speaking before the oral presentations, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Özge Özden, stressed the great importance of cooperation between universities, local governments, and civil society organizations in creating sustainable cities. Özden thanked all the institutions and stakeholders who contributed to the organization and stated that the Faculty of Agriculture will continue to support interdisciplinary scientific research and inter-institutional collaborations. During the Northern Cyprus Cities Forum, numerous current issues such as sustainable water management, energy efficiency, urban ecology,elderly care, climate change, olive oil production, and environmental planning were addressed from a scientific perspective, while the studies presented by the faculty members of the Faculty of Agriculture also attracted attention with their solution proposals for sustainable development goals.
A poster presentation titled “Olive Oil Production and Climate Change in Northern Cyprus and the Mediterranean Region: A Review Study” prepared by Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Gökçekuş, Prof. Dr. Youssef Kassem, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şebnem Güler, and Mahmoud Issam Chaarani was presented. The study addressed the effects of climate change on olive oil production and sustainable production approaches.
Near East University Faculty of Agriculture continues to produce scientific studies aimed at the needs of society and the environment, support interdisciplinary research, and contribute to sustainable development.

*This activity is compatible with SDGs 4, 6, 15, and 11.