The SAME ENTHUSIASM AS ON THE FIRST DAY 

Elections are a celebration of democracy. We have experienced an election period in a spirit of celebration. We have concluded an electoral contest founded on respect, sincerity, and a strong belief in our shared future.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our esteemed members who supported us throughout this journey and entrusted us with the honourable responsibility of Izmir Commodity Exchange, an institution with a distinguished 135-year history.

I congratulate all members elected to the governing bodies of our institution, particularly my dear friend Mr. Bülent Uçak, who has been elected Chairman of the Assembly.

As I write these lines, I find myself reliving the pride and enthusiasm I felt on my very first day at the Izmir Commodity Exchange. At the same time, I am profoundly aware of the immense responsibility placed upon us by our 135-year-old institution, with such deep roots.

Another feeling I hold is gratitude and loyalty.

I consider it my duty to once again express my heartfelt gratitude, on behalf of our Exchange and Izmir, to Mrs. Işınsu Kestelli, whose efforts have contributed immensely to all of us and who served as the Chairperson of our Exchange for 17 years with remarkable success, vision, and dedication.

Through the values she brought to the Izmir Commodity Exchange, the projects she implemented, and her strong leadership, she has left behind an extraordinary legacy. As we take over this responsibility, we are fully aware of the great duty entrusted to us to carry forward the vision she has firmly established in the history of our Exchange.

In this regard, I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to all former chairpersons and members who have contributed to the distinguished 135-year institutional heritage of our Exchange through their service on our Boards of Directors, Assembly, and Professional Committees.

Their collective wisdom and dedication constitute the most valuable part of the strong legacy we have inherited today.

To lead this institution, which has been at the heart of agricultural trade since 1891, is to develop a modern perspective that respects the accumulated knowledge and experience of more than a century, preserves this heritage, and remains firmly focused on the future.

Our vision for the future is to lead the transformation of Izmir's agricultural ecosystem into one of the world's leading centres of attraction.

In line with this vision, we have established our 2026–2029 Strategic Plan as our roadmap for the next four years.

While strengthening our institutional capacity, we aim to become an Exchange that creates greater value for its members, enhances the efficiency of agricultural commodity markets, and contributes to the development of sustainable agricultural and food systems.

We will adopt a data-driven, measurable, and results-oriented management approach that places our members and stakeholders at its centre, combining our century-old institutional knowledge and experience with innovation.

Today, we must rethink agriculture and agricultural trade, both in Türkiye and around the world. The global climate crisis, disruptions in supply chains, and food supply security reveal one clear reality: agriculture is also about effective data management.

A current, data-driven analysis reveals that although Türkiye is a leader in Europe in terms of agricultural output, it has yet to fully and effectively utilise its potential in the digitalisation of agricultural trade, logistics optimisation, and commodity market depth.

We must integrate our traditional trading methods with blockchain technology, artificial intelligence-supported supply and demand forecasting, and real-time data analytics.

Digital transformation in agriculture is no longer a matter of choice; it is a matter of survival.

This is precisely why we will continue to advocate, in the strongest possible terms, for the digitalisation of Turkish agriculture from Izmir, the agricultural capital of Türkiye.

We will transform our Exchange into a global agricultural hub where data is processed and utilised intelligently.

Our Exchange has five key areas of focus:

1. To complete the restoration and transformation of our historic Exchange Palace building, a symbol of both Izmir and our Exchange, as swiftly as possible. One of our foremost objectives is to restore this century-old building in accordance with its original architectural character and reintegrate it into the life of our city and our Exchange, as a testament to our respect for the past and the legacy we wish to leave for the future.
2. We will continue, develop, and enrich our existing visionary projects that shape the future of agriculture with determination, while introducing new ideas and initiatives.
3. We will continue to make every effort to ensure that each product registered with our Exchange, from cotton and olive oil to dried fruits and animal products, receives the value it deserves and achieves greater trade volumes. By developing a tailored strategy for each product, we will work to strengthen its competitiveness in global markets.
4. Throughout our term of office, all 19 of our Professional Committees will play an active role at the heart of our Exchange’s management. We will place great emphasis on identifying challenges at their source and developing solutions through collective wisdom.
5. To work in harmony with our stakeholders and contribute to Izmir's economic and social vision through constructive and forward-looking projects. Izmir is a city that draws its strength from consensus and collective wisdom. We will devote every effort to supporting our city's development through cooperation and shared objectives.

We have four important, busy and dynamic years ahead of us, during which we must all take responsibility and do our part. Together, we will continue working for our city, our region, and our country.

May our path be clear, our future bright, and the abundance and fertility of our land endure.