Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that he used his 16th address to the UN General Assembly to advocate for a fairer global order and reaffirm Türkiye’s unwavering support for Palestine. Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara on Monday, Erdogan stated, “We will continue to courageously speak out for what is right and tell the truth.”
Recalling his participation in the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, President Erdogan detailed how he presented a five-point framework aimed at establishing a new global order founded on greater fairness, stronger representation, trust, and prosperity. During his engagements, he also outlined Türkiye’s positions on critical international issues, including the situations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, the Russia-Ukraine war, and tensions involving Iran.
Erdogan emphasized that Israel’s “state terrorism” in Gaza and the occupied West Bank remains a top priority on Türkiye’s international agenda. He openly criticized the absence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from the General Assembly, attributing it to visa restrictions that prevented his in-person attendance. “While war criminals whose words reek of blood found a place at the UN podium to spread their lies, the fact that President Abbas could not be there is a shameful situation for humanity,” Erdogan asserted.
The Turkish President affirmed Türkiye’s continued support for Palestinians and Lebanese communities affected by ongoing conflicts. He vowed, “We will never abandon our stance until those who commit crimes against humanity, those who have shed the blood of 74,000 of our brothers and sisters in Gaza, and those who have spread terror across our region from Lebanon to Syria are held accountable before the law.”
During his visit to New York, Erdogan engaged in extensive diplomatic outreach, holding bilateral meetings with 17 heads of state and government. He also attended a meeting bringing together the US and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, held at the invitation of Mr. Trump, where he shared Türkiye's perspectives on restoring peace and stability in the region. “At the invitation of Mr. Trump, I attended a meeting bringing together the US and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, where I shared our views on restoring peace and stability in the region,” he confirmed.
Beyond high-level diplomatic talks, President Erdogan met with US business representatives to explore investment opportunities in Türkiye and participated in various programmes involving Turkish, American, and Muslim communities. He highlighted the Turkevi Center in New York as a crucial diplomatic hub and recalled attending the closing ceremony of the 21st MUSIAD EXPO International Trade Fair and the 29th International Business Forum on September 26.
Erdogan expressed optimism that the contacts and meetings made during the UN General Assembly would yield benefits for Türkiye and communities impacted by conflicts, fostering new partnerships and cooperation.
