On Saturday, leaders, ministers, diplomats, and communication experts gathered in İstanbul for the International Strategic Communication Summit STRATCOM 2026, where they discussed global instability, mediation diplomacy, digital transformation, and the increasing legitimacy crisis in the international system.
At the meeting organised by the Directorate of Communications of Türkiye, participants from different regions explored how strategic communication is reshaping diplomacy, governance, and security. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also addressed the participants.
One panel discussion focused on the erosion of the international system caused by disinformation, weakened trust, and exacerbated geopolitical divisions. Stating that Türkiye is in a position to maintain dialogue with both East and West, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Fuat Oktay, emphasised openness and transparency, adding that Türkiye can engage across nearly all conflict zones through trust-based diplomacy.”
The Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus criticised the current global order for handling the Cyprus issue, noting that the system shaped by the UN Security Council’s permanent members fails to provide fair access for Turkish Cypriot communities. Representatives from other countries highlighted the importance of countering disinformation, addressing the decline in trust between states, and the need for more equitable global rules to achieve peace.
According to a report by "Hürriyet" daily, the meeting also discussed the role of media, the influence of digital platforms and artificial intelligence on public opinion, and the importance of including various actors in negotiations aimed at resolving conflicts and crises.