President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made remarks and answered journalists' questions on current issues at the Turkevi Centre in New York, where he was attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Noting that his visit to New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly was drawing to a close, President Erdoğan recalled that this year’s General Assembly events, attended by heads of state and government from more than 130 countries, were held under the theme "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation".
Recalling that he addressed the United Nations General Assembly on the second day of the meetings, President Erdoğan said, "In my address, while emphasising our country’s support for multilateralism, we shared our views on developments in our region. We underscored the need for a more inclusive, fairer and more effective global system under five key points. We once again brought the plight of our brothers and sisters in Gaza to the world’s attention. I explained our approach, which is based on regional ownership in addressing the threats we face."
President Erdoğan said that, at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, he also attended a meeting that brought together the United States and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council that same day, adding that they had shared their views and proposals on bringing security and stability to the Middle East.
Noting that climate action and a fair transition were also among the prominent issues discussed during this year’s General Assembly meetings, President Erdoğan recalled that Türkiye would host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in Antalya from November 9 to 20.
President Erdoğan said they would welcome 100,000 participants from around the world in Antalya, adding that, in his address to the General Assembly, he had also shared Türkiye’s comprehensive initiatives, particularly those aimed at preventing food waste, as well as the Zero Waste Movement launched at the initiative of his spouse, First Lady Emine Erdoğan.
Intensive schedule of meetings and engagements
Drawing attention to his intensive schedule of meetings and engagements during his visit to New York, President Erdoğan said:
"In addition to Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term will end this year, I met with my counterparts from Vietnam, Libya, Kuwait, Kosovo, Lebanon, Georgia, Qatar, Senegal, the United Kingdom, Japan, Poland, Bangladesh, Armenia, Iraq and Ukraine, respectively. During our meetings, we discussed bilateral issues as well as steps we can take to prevent ongoing instability and conflicts in our immediate region. During our visit to New York, I also met with leading U.S. business representatives and think tanks. At these meetings, I explained the investment and trade opportunities in our country. Today, I also attended a programme organised with the participation of the Turkish-American Muslim community, where we embraced our friends and brothers and sisters. As you know, next year marks the centennial of diplomatic relations between the United States and Türkiye. We aim to mark this important milestone in the relations between our two friendly countries in a manner befitting its significance. We know President Trump shares our views, and we want to make 2027 a landmark year for Turkish-American relations. With these thoughts in mind, I hope our visit yields positive outcomes. I will now take your questions."
"This unfair structure cannot preserve global stability and peace"
Reminded that, in his article for Bloomberg, he had stressed the need for UN reform and Türkiye’s readiness to assume its share of responsibility in the pursuit of this reform, President Erdoğan was asked, “What is your vision for the UN?” He replied, "Today, we have a United Nations in which the will of more than 190 countries is constrained by the veto power of just five countries. This unfair structure cannot preserve global stability and peace, remain faithful to the fundamental principles it has set forth, or fulfil its promise to humanity. The issue is not simply about Türkiye having a greater say. The issue is about Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Islamic world, Europe and all other regions being fairly represented in this global system through their own experiences and their own will."
President Erdoğan continued:
"That is why we say the veto mechanism should be abolished. Let us move from a United Nations model that protects only five members to a mechanism that embraces all members. Let us make the General Assembly strong, robust and effective." The new mechanism should be a fairer system in which elected members serve for set terms, and those who want to serve again must earn the trust of the international community once again. Allow all members—not just five—to offer solutions to the world's problems and make decisions. Because the world no longer needs new walls; it needs new bridges."
“Today, the world is increasingly moving towards the position we have advocated from the very beginning.”
Recalling his remarks at the UN General Assembly, “As long as Allah grants me life, I shall continue from this rostrum to speak the truth,” President Erdoğan was asked to reflect on his long journey from his first address to the General Assembly to his latest. He stated, “This journey entails an unwavering stance. When we first took the podium at the United Nations General Assembly, we stood for the same principles and expressed the same views as we do today. Thankfully, we remain steadfast in our position."
President Erdoğan said that developments in Syria, Iraq, the Russia-Ukraine war, Africa, Myanmar, and, most recently, Gaza had repeatedly demonstrated the truth of what he had been saying, adding that the foundations of the Russia-Ukraine war had been laid back in those years.
President Erdoğan noted that many issues in the region had been exacerbated by the misguided steps taken at the time, with sparks turning into raging fires, and said, "Had the world heeded our warnings back then and taken the necessary measures, so many lives would not have been lost. If the United Nations reform had been implemented during those years, the conflicts and wars that we see today in our region and around the world could have been avoided."
President Erdoğan emphasised that the fact that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had been unable to attend the United Nations for two consecutive years was, in itself, a reflection of how deeply injustice had become entrenched in the international system, adding: “Our aim is not to oppose any country. Our concern is to combat injustice. For our part, we are pleased that we have always stood on the right side of history, from those days to the present, and have never taken a single step that would bring shame upon our nation. Today, the world is increasingly moving towards the position we have advocated from the very beginning.”
Asked by a journalist, “Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is declining sharply. The steep drop in the number of vessels passing through the region shows that the crisis is no longer just about Iran but has become an issue affecting global energy and trade. Does Türkiye have a concrete plan to bring the United States and Iran to a ceasefire, and what are you proposing to the parties?" President Erdoğan said the situation in the Strait of Hormuz showed the issue was no longer solely between Iran and the United States.
Emphasising that Türkiye had made its position on the matter absolutely clear, President Erdoğan said, "We oppose the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. Freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must be preserved. Any tension in the Strait of Hormuz directly affects not only the countries of the region, but also Europe, Asia, energy markets, transport and the daily lives of millions of people.”
Drawing attention to the dramatic decline in commercial shipping traffic in recent months as a clear indication of the scale of the issue, President Erdoğan said that the Strait of Hormuz was vital to global energy security and international trade.
President Erdoğan underlined that the Strait of Hormuz should be opened as the key to resolving problems through dialogue and negotiations, adding, "We are telling our counterparts that we need to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible. Instead of opening new fronts, it is necessary to open new diplomatic channels."
Asked whether establishing a new security mechanism similar to the Black Sea Grain Initiative and reviving the grain corridor might be on the agenda, President Erdoğan said that Black Sea security was of great importance to both Türkiye and the region.
President Erdoğan reiterated that the Black Sea should not, and must never be, a battleground in this conflict and continued:
"In our discussions with the parties, we emphasise the importance of restoring navigational safety. This will have two advantages: it will provide food security while also preventing the war from spreading. We have made it clear that we will not tolerate attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea, regardless of who carries them out, and that we expect all parties to act responsibly. We have stepped up our efforts to re-establish the grain corridor. We are also stepping up our diplomatic efforts to this end. I discussed the issue with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine once again, and the response I received from him was positive."
"We are a state seasoned enough not to fall prey to such traps"
In response to a question concerning the future of the Mecca Defence Alliance, President Erdoğan emphasised that the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement marked a strong step in the right direction. President Erdoğan stated, “If you are undertaking an initiative of this magnitude in such a difficult region, encountering certain challenges along the way is only to be expected. When you put forward something new and demonstrate a new political will, there will naturally be those who are unsettled by it. We are not a state that emerged only yesterday. We are a state seasoned enough not to be swayed by provocations or fall prey to such traps. I have no doubt that once our institutionalisation efforts are complete, we will move forward even stronger."
President Erdoğan said that the groundwork was being laid for the region to develop its own solutions to its own problems, adding, "We have all seen how those who come from outside to dictate security solutions for our region have too often left behind even more instability. The sapling we have planted today will soon grow into a mighty tree that will endure for generations to come. We have full confidence in our country, our nation, and our brothers and sisters."
President Erdoğan responded to a journalist who asked, “Last year, on the margins of the UN, talks were held here with the participation of the Gulf countries, President Donald Trump of the US and yourself.” As an outcome of the talks, President Trump moved forward with his Gaza plan in Sharm el-Sheikh. A similar meeting was held this year as well. You touched on this in your opening remarks, but should we expect this second meeting to produce such a tangible outcome in the near future, as the previous talks did in Sharm El-Sheikh?" saying:
"There can be no lasting peace in the Middle East without stopping the bloodshed in Gaza, making the ceasefire permanent, and ensuring that Palestinians can build a dignified future in their homeland. The political will that has emerged around the peace plan is important and valuable. Almost all parties, including Hamas, have taken constructive steps and demonstrated their commitment to achieving lasting peace, prosperity, and stability. Yet Israel continues its aggression, actively undermining the prospects for peace. The international community, above all the United States, must impress upon Israel that it is obliged to abide by this plan. It is not enough simply to call for an end to the war in Gaza. We need to put mechanisms in place to prevent the war from breaking out again, accelerate the reconstruction of Gaza, and secure the Palestinians’ political future. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza remains, even if the world chooses to look away. I am talking about people fighting for their lives amid the rubble. And this has not been the reality for a day, a week, a month, or even a year—it has been going on for years. This is a matter that concerns the collective conscience of all humanity."
“Our aim is to produce our own national combat aircraft, with KAAN leading the way"
Asked about the latest developments concerning Türkiye’s re-entry into the F-35 programme, President Erdoğan noted that he had discussed the issue with President Donald Trump of the US during the NATO Summit as well.
"He expressed a favourable disposition towards Türkiye’s return to the F-35 programme. We now expect this willingness to be translated into concrete steps,” President Erdoğan said, adding that they were continuing their talks on the matter and that they believed they would achieve a result.
President Erdoğan noted that his bilateral ties with Trump had also lent fresh momentum to Türkiye–United States relations, adding:
"Cooperation between the two countries has come a long way compared with the previous administration. I believe we will build on this progress and achieve even more ambitious objectives. With that said, our domestic defence industry remains our priority. It matters greatly to us. With KAAN leading the way, we aim to build our own national combat aircraft, air defence systems and broader defence capabilities. We also met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the meantime. We are continuing to take the necessary steps with them on the Eurofighter issue. Türkiye has its own security considerations, defence needs and strategic objectives. We will strive to achieve our goals, and, Allah willing, will not back down."
In response to a question on the progress of the Terror-Free Türkiye initiative, President Erdoğan emphasised that Terror-Free Türkiye was not a short-term undertaking but a historic effort to rid Türkiye of a problem that has burdened the country for nearly half a century.
Recalling that the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye had established the relevant legal framework, President Erdoğan noted that the necessary mechanisms had been put in place and that the pertinent institutions were conducting the required monitoring on the ground.
Stating that the organisation must actually lay down its arms and complete the liquidation process for the framework law to be implemented, President Erdoğan said the following:
"How this will be determined and verified is also clear. The process is advancing step by step under the supervision of our relevant units. Our Parliament will also contribute to the process within the legal framework set forth by law, and Türkiye will, inshallah, bring the issue of terrorism to an end through unity and solidarity. There are undoubtedly those trying to impede this. The stakeholders in the terrorism industry obviously do not want these chapters to be closed. But we will not give them the opportunity they are waiting for. As the People’s Alliance, as the state, we are determined on this issue. In short, no problem has been presented to us. The process is moving forward, and Allah willing, we will achieve the desired outcome before long."
When a journalist recalled that Ali al-Zaydi, the prime minister of Iraq’s new government, had visited Türkiye some time earlier and asked, "How do you assess the positive atmosphere in Ankara-Baghdad relations as a sign of regional stability for Türkiye and potentially of stability within the country?" President Erdoğan replied, "I can say that we have made a positive start to the new period. I believe that we will improve relations between the two countries and win together."
Noting that they had met with al-Zaydi and his colleagues at the Turkevi Centre, President Erdoğan said:
"As you are aware, the Iraqi government's authority will now take precedence in the Sinjar region, where the PKK has long maintained a presence. Today, we consulted with Iraqi authorities to discuss how control will be exercised once the region is free of terrorism. We also discussed the issue of transferring Bashiqa. With our neighbour Iraq, we now want to talk more about the Development Road, increasing our mutual trade volume, stability, peace and prosperity, rather than about terrorism-related issues. The process is advancing positively. We have gained good momentum. Inshallah, the outcome will be good as well."
"Our issue is Türkiye’s rights, security, and preserving peace and tranquillity in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean"
A journalist pointed out that Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis had made statements regarding F-35 sales as elections approached in Greece, asking, "Could this current course jeopardise the atmosphere of détente and negotiations?" President Erdoğan answered:
"We have no desire to be concerned with Greece’s domestic politics or those of any of our other neighbours. There may be elections in Greece, the government may change, and the opposition may change; these are not our concern. Our issue is Türkiye’s rights, security, and preserving peace and tranquillity in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. Let me state very clearly that Türkiye is not Greece's enemy; it is its neighbour and an ally under the NATO umbrella. These bilateral relations are too delicate and crucial to exploit as election material. We view the discussions in question from this perspective. We have focused on our agenda, and now we are attending to our own business."
"The world is our home, and it is our duty to protect it from pollution"
Responding to a question about Türkiye’s main priorities for COP31, to be held in Antalya in November, President Erdoğan stressed that the problems caused by climate change could not be ignored and that addressing them was of great importance to Türkiye.
President Erdoğan underlined that at COP31, they would set out the measures, road maps, and planned actions to address the adverse effects of climate change across different geographies.
Recalling that he had also addressed climate change in a speech at the United Nations, President Erdoğan said, "I also addressed these issues in my speech there. The world is our home, and it is our duty to protect it from pollution. COP31 is not merely a climate conference but also a platform for developing countries to voice their opinions, express their expectations, and discuss concrete outcomes."
Pointing out that developed countries also had a responsibility to support countries facing financial difficulties, President Erdoğan noted that combating climate change now required action rather than words.
Emphasising that disasters recognise no borders and that fires, floods, and droughts affect countries indiscriminately, President Erdoğan said, "We too must remove borders to address these problems. I believe that the COP31 summit, which we will host in Antalya, will be a significant milestone on this long journey."