Turkish steel industry gathers in Istanbul to celebrate Uğur Dalbeler’s worldsteel presidency

TheSteel Foreign Trade Association (Çelik Dış Ticaret Derneği)brought leading figures of the Turkish steel industry together in Istanbul on 19 November 2025 for a special dinner markingUğur Dalbeler’selection as president of theWorld Steel Association (worldsteel)and to discuss Turkey’s role in the global steel market.

The event, held in Dalbeler’s honour, focused on the contribution he is expected to make to the international steel industry and on how Turkey’s position in global steel trade can be further strengthened during his tenure at the head of worldsteel.

INDUSTRY VETERANS AND BUSINESS LEADERS IN ATTENDANCE

Among the guests were prominent industry veteranBayram Aslan, along withNamık Ekinci,Hasan Çolakoğlu, former State MinisterIşın Çelebi,Ahmet Nur Çebi,Halil Şahin,Faruk Ekinci,Ahmet Yolbulan,Naci FaydasıçokandMustafa Açıkalın. The dinner also drew leading industrialists, company executives, association representatives and distinguished names from the business community, includingTurkish Steel Producers Association (TÇÜD)Secretary GeneralDr Veysel Yayan.

“THE NATURAL RESULT OF MANY YEARS OF EFFORT”

Opening the evening, Steel Foreign Trade Association ChairmanNamık Ekincidescribed Dalbeler’s election as the culmination of decades of dedicated work. “Mr Uğur Dalbeler’s election as president of the World Steel Association is, in fact, the natural result of many years of effort,” Ekinci said. “This is no longer just a source of pride for Turkey; with Mr Dalbeler’s expertise and leadership, it marks the beginning of a new period in which he will contribute to the whole world.”

Speaking at the event,Tuncay Sergendrew attention to Dalbeler’s personal and professional qualities. “His diligence, his excellent rapport with people, his modest character and his great reliability have enabled him to achieve things that are not easy and to rise to senior positions,” Sergen said. “We believe his new role will further increase the international impact of Turkish steel.”

A NEW ERA FOR TURKISH STEEL ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

Former State MinisterIşın Çelebi,Selim Ergüder,Ahmet Erciyason behalf of the Steel Exporters’ Association (Çelik İhracatçıları Birliği – ÇİB) andDr Veysel Yayanon behalf of the Turkish Steel Producers Association (Türkiye Çelik Üreticileri Derneği – TÇÜD) also took the floor. In their speeches, they underlined Dalbeler’s long-standing contribution to both the Turkish and global steel industries and stressed that his presidency would enhance Turkey’s visibility and influence in the world steel market.

DALBELER: “STEEL HAS BECOME A WAY OF LIFE FOR ME”

For his part,Uğur Dalbelerhighlighted what the worldsteel presidency means to him personally and professionally. “The World Steel Association presidency is, for me, a very significant milestone both professionally and personally,” he said. “Steel has become a way of life for me. Being part of this community is the greatest privilege. You have crowned my 40-year career; I cannot thank you enough.”

PRESIDENCY CROWNED WITH COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE

At the end of the evening, Steel Foreign Trade Association ChairmanNamık Ekincipresented Dalbeler with a commemorative plaque, expressing the hope that his new role would inspire the sector. The plaque was seen as both a gesture of appreciation for Dalbeler’s nearly 40 years of experience and a symbol of the Turkish steel industry’s ambition to play a stronger role on the global stage.