In a world where cities face mounting crises—from warfare and natural disasters to economic collapse—traditional public diplomacy falls short. What matters now is creating “shared human discourses” rooted in citizens’ daily lives, building lasting solidarity beyond political shifts.
Tehran, a city shaped by survival amid ruins, understands that “attachment to place” is a more honest bridge than any formal pact. Aligned with its urban diplomacy mission and UCLG commitments, Tehran Municipality’s Center for Communications and International Affairs is organizing the third “Resilient City” competition for World Cities Day (October 31).
The event invites global citizens—especially children, teens, and urban institutions—to share lived experiences of crisis through art, documentaries, and visual narratives. Each contribution becomes part of a “global mosaic of survival,” fostering dialogue not over who suffered most, but over shared solutions and solidarity.
With two entry levels—one for citizens, one for institutions—the competition bridges emotional ties to place with urban management responsibility, keeping hope alive through every crisis.
The 3rd Tehran International Competition
Theme: “Here, a Lamp is Lit!”
Description
In the city where you live, which spot do you love the most? Perhaps it’s that cozy corner of the park where you play with your friends on weekends. Perhaps it’s the small square where your favorite ice-cream shop is located. Or perhaps it’s beneath the sturdy old tree in your grandmother’s yard—a place where your memories have taken root.
Now imagine that the shadow of a threat such as war, flood, rising prices, loneliness, or any other crisis, hangs over this city and these familiar places. If this beloved place were to be lost, what would you remember most about it? The sound of children playing? The smell of damp earth in the park after rain? The bench where you sat gazing at the sky? Or something else entirely…?
We invite you to paint it, photograph it, or capture it in a short video (maximum one minute) and send it to us.
Rules and Regulations
- Submission method: All works must be uploaded to the website
- Age group: 7 to 18 years old (proof of age based on a birth certificate or national ID card may be requested), Judging will be conducted separately for each age group.
- Number of entries: Each participant may submit only one work.
- Permitted techniques: Drawing using any medium (oil paint, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, pencil, pen, etc.), photography, or short film.
- Submission quality: Drawings must be scanned at a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. Image files may not exceed 5 MB, and videos may not exceed 100 MB.
Judging Criteria (How Will You Be Selected?)
An international jury composed of artists, architects, and child-focused activists will evaluate the works according to the different age groups and the following four criteria:
- Simplicity and sincerity
- Originality and creativity
- Relevance to the theme
- Artistic expression
Prizes
- Ten winning works (across the three age groups) will be selected.
- The winners will receive special trophies and international certificates of recognition from Tehran Municipality.
- The selected works will be displayed at an international exhibition held in Tehran on the occasion of World Cities Day (October 31st) and will also be published online with the names of their creators.
General Provisions
- Intellectual Property: By submitting a work, the participant grants Tehran Municipality the right to use the work for non-commercial purposes, including publication in exhibitions, on websites, in brochures, and on social media. All material rights to the work remain with its creator.
- Participation Fee: Participation in this competition is free of charge for all participants.
- Notification: Results will be communicated to the winners by email and will also be published on the official website of Tehran Municipality.
Theme: “Resilient City”
Description
How did your city protect its citizens and their homes during its most severe crisis -whether war, an earthquake, flooding, economic collapse, or another crisis? How did your city ensure the resilience of its citizens and their homes?
What courageous decision, managerial innovation, urban infrastructure, or grassroots action enabled homes to remain standing in the midst of crisis and allowed citizens to retain their sense of security and of “being at home”? We invite you to submit at least one work presenting your city’s story of resilience
Eligible Works
- Documentary film (maximum 15 minutes, with English subtitles
- Documentary photography series (a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 photographs, accompanied by brief descriptions)
- Architectural recovery model or design (accompanied by visual files and explanations)
Rules and Regulations
- Each municipality or institution may submit a maximum of two works.
- All works must be submitted in English or accompanied by a complete English translation/subtitle.
- An accompanying statement of no more than 500 words is required, including: an introduction to the city, a description of the crisis, the measures taken, and the results achieved.
Prizes and Benefits
- The winning work will be registered in the “Global Archive of Urban Resilience” under the name of the winning municipality.
- Presentation of the work at the “Resilient Cities” Conference and receipt of an official certificate from Tehran Municipality and its international partners.
- A trophy and special “Resilient City” prize, along with media coverage through reputable international networks related to urban management.
General Provisions
- Intellectual Property: By submitting a work, the participant grants Tehran Municipality the right to use the work for non-commercial purposes, including publication in exhibitions, on websites, in brochures, and on social media. All material rights to the work remain with its creator.
- Participation Fee: Participation in this competition is free of charge for all participants.
- Notification: Results will be communicated to the winners by email and will also be published on the official website of Tehran Municipality.
ECO Mayors Summit
Economic Cooperation Organization mayors gathering for regional development
Summit Agenda
- Regional economic cooperation strategies
- Trade facilitation and business partnerships
- Cultural heritage preservation initiatives
- Tourism development and promotion
- Infrastructure connectivity projects
Expected Deliverables
- Joint declaration on regional cooperation
- Bilateral and multilateral agreements
- Investment promotion frameworks
- Cultural exchange programs
- Follow-up action plan and timelines
Participating Regions
Mayors and city representatives from ECO member countries including Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Twin Cities Summit
Strengthening sister city relationships and international partnerships
In today’s interconnected world, twin city partnerships are vital instruments of city diplomacy. The Twin Cities Summit will provide a strategic platform to move these partnerships from symbolic agreements into practical projects—by showcasing investment opportunities, promoting cultural and tourism exchanges, fostering cultural–economic collaboration, and exploring innovation in the digital economy. Gathering twin cities of Tehran and other Iranian cities will bring about a huge opportunity of networking and provision of signing new twin relationships.
Program Activities
- Bilateral and multilateral meetings
- High level technical panels
- Networking sessions
- Cultural side events
- Signing ceremonies
- Economic discussions
Partnership Benefits
Strengthen diplomatic ties, enhance cultural understanding, facilitate trade and investment, promote tourism, and create lasting friendships between cities across different continents.
Tehran Golden Adobe Global Award
International recognition for excellence in sustainable urban management
The Golden Adobe Global Award is an annual, non-profit international event recognizing innovative and impactful urban initiatives. It fosters sustainable development, shared progress, and practical solutions to urban challenges while encouraging global knowledge exchange. By showcasing outstanding projects, it aims to inspire broader adoption worldwide and strengthen Tehran’s role as a proactive contributor in international urban discourse. The Award also provides a platform for cities to share experiences, build partnerships, and promote best practices. Through its comprehensive and scientific approach, it seeks to encourage creativity, highlight successful urban strategies, and support the collective advancement of cities worldwide.
Thematic Focus Areas
- Architecture, Urban Planning, and Cultural Heritage Preservation
- People-Centered Development, Local Governance, Social Dynamism, and Urban Livability
- Infrastructure Development, Traffic and Transportation, and Urban Services
- Knowledge-Based Development and Smart City
- Urban Economy, Investment and Entrepreneurship
Submission Process
Submission Deadline: 23 October, 2025
Organizers
