Turkish president urges global unity on peace efforts, denounces gender-neutrality agenda, emphasizes Türkiye's role in regional stability
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered his address Tuesday to the UN General Assembly, highlighting a range of issues including Syria, the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Ukraine, global injustice and ties with BRICS bloc.
Erdogan said he hoped a political process would be maintained in Syria, which is “still far from stability.”
“The economic and humanitarian situation in the country, which is in the grip of terrorist and separatist organizations remains dire,” said the president.
“We hope that the political process will be advanced and national reconciliation will be achieved on the basis of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254,” said Erdogan, adding that Türkiye is determined to maintain its position in favor of a realistic dialogue with sincerity.
- Iraq
Erdogan said Iraq is taking decisive steps towards development, reconstruction and reintegration with the region.
“The international community should support these efforts of Iraq,” said Erdogan. “It is important in this context to implement initiatives that will benefit the entire region, such as the Development Road Project,” he said about a trade corridor that will link Türkiye to Europe.
He said the success of all efforts depends on the elimination of the terror threat in Iraq, especially from the PKK.
“We believe that taking steps towards reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with our other neighbor Iran will contribute to the establishment of the environment of trust and stability in the region,” he added, referring to the 2015 nuclear deal Iran signed with world powers.
- Efforts to end Ukraine war
The Turkish leader touched on the war staged by Russia against Ukraine, and said, “We are still far from reaching a just and lasting peace.”
“As the armament race accelerates, the field of diplomacy is gradually narrowing,” said Erdogan. “We will further increase our support to the efforts to end the war through diplomacy and dialogue, on the basis of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
“In this process, we will continue to meticulously implement the Montreux Convention,” he added.
- Peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia
Erdogan raised the issue of the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, stressing Türkiye's continued support for it.
“We hope that the work will be completed with good news as soon as possible,” said the president. “We are also taking mutually positive steps on the Türkiye-Armenia track.”
The developments that can be achieved in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process will also have a positive effect on the Türkiye-Armenia normalization process.
- Sudan
He also urged more efforts to end the conflicts in Sudan.
“We all have a responsibility to deliver humanitarian aid to millions of Sudanese displaced due to conflicts,” said Erdogan.
Stressing that Africa has a “very huge potential” with its young and dynamic population, rich natural resources and fertile extensive lands, Erdogan said: “On the basis of the principles of equal partnership and mutual respect, we support the Continent's peace, stability and development efforts with the African peoples.”
“We will continue to be in full solidarity with our African brothers and sisters,” he stressed.
Sudan has been mired by fighting between the army and the RSF since April 2023, with at least 12,260 killed and more than 33,000 injured, according to UN figures.
A humanitarian crisis continues to worsen as nearly 6.8 million have fled their homes seeking safety in other parts of Sudan or neighboring countries.
Several cease-fire agreements brokered by Saudi Arabia and US mediators have failed to end the violence.
- Relation with BRICS
Erdogan said Türkiye is deepening engagement with regional organizations, such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association, the Pacific Islands Forum and particularly ASEAN.
“We maintain our will to develop our relations with BRICS, which brings together emerging economies,” he said. “We share a deep-rooted history with the Central Asian countries; we further strengthen our cooperation on bilateral and multilateral grounds.”
He said the Organization of Turkic States is increasingly turning into a center of attraction, adding that it is becoming an exemplary model of cooperation, also with the contributions of observer members Hungary and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
“As the Turkic world, we will further strengthen our unity and solidarity,” said the Turkish leader.
Regarding China, he said Türkiye is in close dialogue with China to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Uyghur Turks, with whom he said Türkiye has “strong historical, cultural and human ties.”
Türkiye respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.
- Global injustice
Erdogan also said the international community should work to eliminate global injustice, noting that Türkiye supports “the activities that will ensure fair, inclusive growth and development on all international platforms, especially within the G20.”
“We believe that all nations should benefit equally from the transformative power of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence,” he said.
The president said in Europe, “People's houses are being set on fire; their lives are being targeted; their most fundamental rights are being usurped because of their ethnic and religious identities.”
“No one can ignore this growing danger any longer,” he warned.
“As stipulated in the resolution adopted on 15 March 2024, we expect the appointment of a ‘special envoy for combating Islamophobia' at the United Nations as soon as possible,” said the Turkish leader.
- Gender neutralization
Erdogan also touched on the issue of gender neutralization, saying the issue is “now turning into a global imposition rather than a preference.”
He called it “a war against the sacred and the creation.”
“The attacks against the family institution, which is the basic pillar of society, are intensifying,” said the president.
He noted the controversial opening of the 2024 Olympic Games, which he said was a “disgrace.”
“A sports event followed by innocent children and hundreds of millions of people of all ages and faiths has been used, in a very ugly manner, for degenderization propaganda,” said the president.
He said anyone who raises a voice against “this destruction project” and shows the slightest reaction is silenced and becomes the target of lynching campaigns.
“Türkiye is determined to break this siege and resist this climate of fear at all cost,” he said. “For this purpose, we became a member of the United Nations Group of Friends of the Family.”
