President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended numerous meetings, including the General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, and held important talks with world leaders and senior representatives of international organisations in New York, where he was visiting to attend the General Assembly and hold a series of engagements.
President Erdoğan held a series of intensive diplomatic meetings at the Turkish House, located opposite UN Headquarters, during which bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments were discussed.
President Erdoğan, who shared Türkiye’s approach based on peace, stability and dialogue with his counterparts, met with President Tô Lâm of Vietnam on 22 September.
Expressing Türkiye’s satisfaction with Vietnam’s positive response to its proposal to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a “Strategic Partnership”, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye was working to enhance cooperation with Vietnam in numerous areas, particularly in investment, trade and the defence industry.
President Erdoğan emphasised the importance of the two countries continuing to work together on the international stage and the need to sustain this cooperation.
Following his meeting with Vietnamese President Tô Lâm, President Erdoğan met with Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Mohamed Younis al-Menfi. President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye was making efforts to maintain stability in Libya, stressed the importance of sustaining the process aimed at dialogue and reconciliation, and underlined that Türkiye would not accept any formula that was not in Libya’s interests.
During his meeting with al-Menfi, President Erdoğan stated that efforts were ongoing to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the fields of energy, defence and mining.
Following his meeting with al-Menfi, President Erdoğan received Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and stated that Türkiye stood by brotherly countries such as Kuwait during this difficult period marked by conflicts in the region.
During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that the two countries were working to enhance cooperation in numerous areas, particularly trade and energy, and reiterated that Türkiye stood by brotherly countries such as Kuwait during this difficult period marked by conflicts in the region.
President Erdoğan stressed the need to put an end to Israel’s aggression in the region and highlighted the importance of supporting international efforts to this end.
During his engagements on the first day, President Erdoğan also received Prime Minister Albin Kurti of Kosovo and underlined that Türkiye would continue to support Kosovo in securing its rightful place in the international community and that Türkiye also supported dialogue among Balkan countries.
During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that the two countries would continue to take steps to increase their bilateral trade volume in line with its potential and further advance cooperation in security and the defence industry.
President Erdoğan also received Prime Minister Nawaf Salam of Lebanon at the Turkevi Centre and said Türkiye was working to ensure lasting peace and stability in Lebanon, and that an international initiative was needed to replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye would continue to stand by the Lebanese people during difficult times and would continue to send humanitarian aid and medical assistance to Lebanon.
President Erdoğan received Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgia and, during the meeting, expressed his satisfaction that Türkiye had been Georgia’s largest trading partner for 18 years. He stated that the two countries would continue to take steps to further enhance cooperation in numerous areas, particularly trade, transport and security.
President Erdoğan emphasised the importance of the two countries maintaining their solidarity on the international stage and stated that making the most effective use of the Türkiye–Georgia–Azerbaijan cooperation mechanisms would benefit all three countries.
President Erdoğan concluded his diplomatic engagements on the first day with a meeting with Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong before addressing participants at the event held for the 100th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Türkiye and the United States of America.
As Türkiye–US relations entered their second century, President Erdoğan outlined his vision for expanding cooperation into new areas, stating, "The conflicts, wars and crises that we are faced with in our region and the world require Türkiye and the U.S. to be in close dialogue. Thanks to the dialogue and coordination we have established with the U.S., we get positive results for our countries in many matters, whose global repercussions we witness in Africa, Asia and the Middle East in particular. We are determined to continue this in the period ahead by increasing our efforts.”
Address to the UN General Assembly
On the second day of his visit to New York, President Erdoğan addressed the UN General Assembly, delivering his 16th address to the Assembly, which he had attended in previous years first as Prime Minister and then as President, as the fourth speaker to take the floor.
President Erdoğan began his address by expressing his hope that the 81st session of the UN General Assembly would yield auspicious outcomes for all humanity, particularly for the oppressed, and devoted much of his speech to Palestine and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
President Erdoğan pointed out that one day, everyone would have to seek refuge in the collective conscience of humanity, and continued:
"Today, we may feel safe, prosperous and secure. We may live in comfort, far away from conflict and crisis zones. Yet none of us knows what tomorrow may bring or what lies ahead. For this reason, I find this year’s General Assembly theme, which focuses on restoring trust in the international system, particularly relevant."
President Erdoğan noted, "We must acknowledge that a system in which the will of more than 190 countries is subject to the whims of five countries is neither fair nor capable of fully establishing trust. The Security Council must be reformed in accordance with the principle that “The World is Bigger than Five”."
President Erdoğan also said, "As Tayyip Erdoğan, and as the President of a great nation defined by its conscience, its history and its compassion, for as long as Allah grants me life, I will, inshallah, continue from this rostrum to defend the rights of the oppressed, the victims and the forsaken, to be their voice, to speak on their behalf, and to stand up for them."
Meeting with Guterres
Following his address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, President Erdoğan continued his bilateral engagements, meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
President Erdoğan stated that he had worked closely with Guterres, whose term of office was drawing to a close, on numerous issues concerning global peace and security.
President Erdoğan stated that it had once again become clear that Israel did not want peace in Gaza, that settler terrorism in the West Bank and attacks on holy sites in Jerusalem had further aggravated the situation, and that the basis for a two-state solution must be preserved.
President Erdoğan stated that tensions needed to be reduced in Iran and Ukraine, that Türkiye was making efforts to ensure continued commitment to the diplomatic process, and that a regionally driven process concerning the Strait of Hormuz could prove beneficial.
President Erdoğan emphasised that Türkiye expected the parties to act responsibly to ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea and expressed Türkiye’s concern over the targeting of commercial ships in the Black Sea.
During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that no proposal that failed to recognise the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people on the island would yield results.
“International pressure is essential to rein in Israeli aggression”
Following his meeting with Guterres, President Erdoğan met with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal at UN Headquarters and subsequently held talks with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye and Qatar would continue working to further strengthen bilateral relations in all areas, particularly investment, trade, energy and the defence industry, and noted that developments adversely affecting energy supplies in the region were causing difficulties for everyone.
President Erdoğan emphasised the importance of advancing cooperation in the fields of energy and transport corridors.
President Erdoğan noted that Israel continued to refuse to take steps towards peace in Gaza and underscored the importance of the international community exerting strong pressure to rein in Israeli aggression in the region.
Following the meeting, President Erdoğan also received Prime Minister Andy Burnham of the UK and stated that Türkiye–UK relations were growing stronger in all areas. He expressed his belief that cooperation would further improve through steps taken in various fields, particularly in the defence industry and trade.
President Erdoğan emphasised that Israel had repeatedly demonstrated through its actions that it did not want peace in Gaza or the West Bank, underscoring the importance of international pressure in response. He noted that tensions were rising in Iran and Ukraine and stated that reaching an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz could pave the way for the resumption of negotiations.
President Erdoğan stated that neither side was gaining the upper hand in Ukraine and pointed out that the targeting of Turkish or foreign commercial ships in the Black Sea was further complicating the situation.
President Erdoğan underscored that no formula that failed to recognise the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people on the island would yield results.
President Erdoğan also received Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan at UN Headquarters and stated that Türkiye and Japan had the potential to increase their bilateral trade volume in a balanced manner within a short period. He emphasised the importance of exploring opportunities for cooperation in the fields of energy, infrastructure and the defence industry.
President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye was making efforts to promote peace in its region and around the world and emphasised the importance of reconstructing Syria, Gaza and Ukraine, which had been devastated by war.
Meeting with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states
President Erdoğan attended a meeting on Iran hosted by US President Donald Trump, which was also attended by leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states.
US President Trump, speaking about the significant steps taken on Gaza and efforts to end the crisis in the region, turned to President Erdoğan and said, "Exactly one year ago, many of our nations met here in the sidelines of the United Nations to discuss how we could end the bloody war in Gaza. And almost the same faces were here, including my friend right over here from Türkiye. He is a tough cookie. Don't mess around with him. He's a fantastic guy."
Following his engagements at UN Headquarters, President Erdoğan returned to the Turkevi Centre, where he met with President Karol Nawrocki of Poland.
President Erdoğan stated that it would be beneficial to take steps to increase bilateral trade volume between Türkiye and Poland and that efforts were underway to further enhance cooperation in numerous areas, particularly the defence industry. He noted that Türkiye was making efforts to bring the Russia–Ukraine war to an end, with a particular focus on ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.
President Erdoğan emphasised the importance of continued international support for a two-state solution, which is essential for lasting peace and stability in Gaza.
Following his meeting with Nawrocki, President Erdoğan received Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of Bangladesh.
President Erdoğan stressed the need to place relations between Türkiye and Bangladesh on a more institutional footing, enhance cooperation in the defence industry and take steps to increase bilateral trade volume. He expressed appreciation for Bangladesh’s hospitality in hosting well over one million Rohingya Muslims and stated that Türkiye would continue to provide humanitarian assistance in the areas of shelter, education and infrastructure.
President Erdoğan concluded his engagements on the second day by attending a reception hosted by US President Donald Trump at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in honour of the heads of state attending the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and their spouses.
President Erdoğan receives Pashinyan
President Erdoğan began his engagements on the third day by receiving Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia.
During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye supported the normalisation process between Türkiye and Armenia in the fields of bilateral trade and transport and stressed the importance of maintaining the positive momentum achieved in bilateral relations. He expressed Türkiye’s satisfaction with the reciprocal steps taken in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
President Erdoğan stated that the growing cooperation with Armenia at international events was contributing to the normalisation process.
Following Pashinyan, President Erdoğan received Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi of Iraq, after which the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications released the “Joint Press Statement by Türkiye and Iraq.”
Accordingly, during talks in which the Turkish and Iraqi authorities reviewed the strategic relations between the two countries across all dimensions, the two sides agreed to deepen security cooperation. Within this framework, the two sides agreed to establish full state authority in Sinjar and put an end to the presence of banned foreign armed elements.
In line with the progress made by Iraq in implementing these security measures, Turkish forces will gradually hand over the Bashiqa-Zilkan base to the Iraqi Federal Government in accordance with the agreed mechanisms and timeline.
The two sides also agreed to expand bilateral trade and investment volumes, promptly implement the agreements signed, and accelerate joint strategic projects, particularly the Development Road Project.
During his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine at the Turkevi Centre, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye was ready, as always, to do everything it could to bring the Ukraine-Russia war to an end through a lasting peace and that efforts to revive direct negotiations would continue.
President Erdoğan stated that steps needed to be taken to ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, that attacks on commercial ships were unjustifiable, and that Türkiye expected the parties to act responsibly. He added that Türkiye would continue to take steps to further develop Türkiye–Ukraine relations. President Erdoğan also noted that enhancing cooperation in numerous areas, particularly energy, mining and the defence industry, would benefit both countries.
Türkiye–US Business Council Meeting
President Erdoğan attended the Türkiye–US Business Council Meeting and stated, "Our strategic cooperation with the United States is developing in all areas. We wish to reflect the harmony we have achieved in our political relations in our economic and trade ties as well."
President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye was implementing targeted and selective policies to increase value added in industry, adding, "We are accelerating infrastructure investments that will strengthen our capabilities in artificial intelligence and support digital transformation. Through the industrial zone we are establishing in Ankara in the healthcare sector, we are providing investors with substantial incentives. We are moving forward with determination towards our goal of a Terror-Free Türkiye to unlock our region’s potential. In short, Türkiye is an economy that does not merely react to shocks but has developed resilience against them and invests in resilience, productivity and economic security.”
President Erdoğan stated that it would be wrong to assess economic relations with the United States solely in terms of trade figures, adding: “In the current era when the global economic order is being redesigned, I am of the opinion that there is a need for an economic cooperation model with Türkiye."
UN Climate Summit
As part of his engagements, President Erdoğan attended the UN Climate Summit 2026 held at UN Headquarters.
President Erdoğan stated that they were working to ensure that the gathering would be an event where decisions taken on climate change were translated into action, adding, "We, with Australia, are conducting our preparations with an understanding that will highlight different geographies’ expectations. I believe that the Pre-COP, which will be held in Fiji, and the leaders’ meeting, which will take place in Tuvalu, will make the voice of Pacific countries heard."
President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye had set new targets in the lead-up to 2035 in priority areas, particularly electrification and zero waste, as part of COP31, and that he expected participants to lend strong support to this agenda. He continued:
“Any proposal that fails to align our climate targets with social and economic realities will be doomed to failure. Steps aimed at enhancing countries’ prosperity need to be shaped in accordance with their own circumstances, capabilities and development priorities. Given the ongoing inequalities in access to financing and technology, it is not realistic to expect all countries to make progress at the same pace. We can make a fair transition permanent to the extent that we manage to cultivate a strong connection between climate targets and development and prosperity.”
Following the UN Climate Summit 2026, President Erdoğan met with Turkish citizens at a Turkish-owned pastry shop next to the Turkevi Centre.
President Erdoğan concluded his programme in New York by attending an event organised by TASC, UID, MÜSİAD and the US Council of Muslim Organisations.
President Erdoğan noted, "Unfortunately problems occur in many parts of the world, Europe in particular. Muslims are expected to assimilate, not integrate. We, however, say ‘yes’ to integration, but ‘no’ to all forms of assimilation." President Erdoğan also addressed the upcoming midterm elections in the United States, stating, 'I call on all our citizens to exercise their democratic rights and make their voices heard in the upcoming midterm elections. It is very, very important that you reflect your will at the ballot box at the highest level. I sincerely hope that you will continue your activities here successfully in unity, solidarity and, above all, brotherhood.”