Speaking at the panel “Türkiye’s Role as a Peacekeeper in Conflict Zones from a Media Perspective,” the Presidency's Head of Communications, Burhanettin Duran, stated that Türkiye’s mediation and facilitation capacity is making a tangible impact globally.
Opening his address, Head of Communications Duran expressed, on humanity’s behalf, profound appreciation to those serving in conflict zones, with special recognition for journalists, NGO workers, and medical personnel.
Head of Communications Duran noted that the panel would shed light on Türkiye’s efforts to advance a “fairer system” worldwide, emphasising that Türkiye today serves as the voice of global conscience and acts in conflict zones as both a diplomatic actor and a humanitarian solution partner.
Emphasising that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s call for “a fairer world” underpins Türkiye’s peace-oriented approach, Head of Communications Duran said:
“We know that the legitimacy of peace stems not from the balance of military and political power, but from the sense of justice inherent in societies. In today's world, peace is not secured solely at negotiating tables. Should peace efforts fail to resonate internationally, or if their message is muted or concealed, then the most critical front has been lost. Accordingly, we are engaged in and must continue our struggle for fair and credible representation across all media platforms to ensure that the voice of peace is heard. On platforms where facts are filtered out as ‘fake’ and acts of oppression are disguised as ‘sensitive content,’ much remains to be done, with a long path ahead for us together."
"A potential global food crisis was averted"
Head of Communications Duran noted that in a world defined by hybrid conflicts, proxy actors, and great powers' competition, peace can no longer be achieved solely through political agreements but demands a holistic approach encompassing security, humanitarian aid, economic, and communication dimensions.
Emphasising that Türkiye’s facilitation and mediation capacity has a tangible impact globally, Head of Communications Duran said, "Our country is among the rare nations with sufficient diplomatic reach to engage both opposing blocs simultaneously, maintain open lines of communication, and provide the necessary ground for negotiation."
Noting the significance of this role in facilitating technical negotiations, developing confidence-building measures, and maintaining continuous crisis communication, Head of Communications Duran remarked that, in the fifth year of the Ukraine-Russia war, the parties have convened on several occasions, with Türkiye acting as a mediator and hosting the peace discussions.
Head of Communications Duran stated that the "Black Sea grain corridor" deal was achieved under Türkiye's leadership, through the efforts of President Erdoğan, thereby averting a potential global food crisis.
Touching on Israel's attacks on Gaza, Head of Communications Duran said, "It is no coincidence that Türkiye is the country making the greatest effort to ensure that Israel's war crimes and systematic genocide in Gaza are raised in the strongest possible terms across all international platforms, that humanitarian aid corridors are opened, that the occupation and massacres are stopped, and that Israel is held accountable before justice."
"We consider combating disinformation to be essential"
Head of Communications Duran stated that Türkiye continues its peace diplomacy through numerous diplomatic moves, such as normalising relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and bringing Ethiopia and Somalia together in the Horn of Africa through dialogue.
Head of Communications Duran stated that Türkiye has taken a stance based on justice in these regions, conducting humanitarian diplomacy on the ground through institutions such as AFAD and the Turkish Red Crescent while negotiating agreements at the table, and said, "The aim of all these efforts, as our President has expressed, is to “build a Türkiye that contributes at the highest level to global peace and security, and stability, together with our region."
Emphasising that one of the duties of the Directorate of Communications is to present to the public conscience who is the victim, who is in the right, and what is fair in conflict zones, Head of Communications Duran recalled that the Directorate carries out numerous activities to strengthen Türkiye's narrative of peace and ensure its accurate representation in the communications ecosystem.
Head of Communications Duran, pointing out that maintaining communication for peace is a matter of security, said:
Today, the perception management operations we call “disinformation” have attained a power that exacerbates social wounds, undermines stability, and overturns peace tables. While babies are dying in Gaza, those on social media who talk about “the land sold by the Palestinians” are unfortunately those who have tasted this poison. We consider combating disinformation essential for strengthening our narrative of peace. For we know that when discussing peace in conflict zones, it is not enough for the guns to fall silent; the blockade on truth must also be lifted. We must recognise that peace is not established solely at negotiating tables, but also takes shape in data centres, algorithms, and on screens. I earnestly call on our citizens to exercise great care with such content, especially at times when emotions run high.
"As Türkiye, we will stand by our Syrian brothers and sisters"
Head of Communications Duran pointed out that Türkiye was among the foremost actors in closely observing what the Syrian people endured during the 13-year war and in making the greatest effort to bring the facts to the attention of the international community.
Head of Communications Duran stated that Türkiye did not turn its back on Syrians in the face of the old regime's massacres in Syria and did not hesitate to assume responsibility in ensuring stability in the region, and said, "Thanks be to Allah, after suffering for 13 years, the Syrian people achieved their revolution on 8 December 2024, and a brand new era has now begun both for Syria and for our region."
Head of Communications, Duran added:
"Of course, we have a very important task ahead of us. The reconstruction and rebuilding of Syria in a stable environment. We know this is not an easy task. Even now, there are still circles that seek to sabotage the stability that has emerged in Syria in the new period, poison the atmosphere of peace, and thrive on instability. These actors sometimes appear as terrorist organisations, sometimes as proxy actors, and sometimes in the guise of certain states. I want to make it clear to them and the whole world that, just as in the past, today, and in the future, Türkiye will stand by our Syrian brothers and sisters in their rightful struggle. We will respect as well as assist in ensuring the preservation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Syrian state. Türkiye will always sustain its efforts to foster an environment of peace and tranquillity in Syria and our region."
"The media and information front have also become a part of wars."
Syria's Minister of Information Hamza Al-Mustafa said in his speech: “While the world is grappling with successive crises and conflicts, destabilising nations, consuming peoples and their resources, and posing unprecedented threats to international peace and security through geopolitical tensions, it is of paramount importance to preserve the truth against disinformation."
Syria’s Minister of Information, Al-Mustafa, stated that wars are no longer limited to conventional methods and weapons but now include narrative wars and public opinion manipulation, with the media and information front becoming part of wars.
Pointing out that misinformation is used to legitimise provocation, Syria’s Minister of Information, Al-Mustafa, emphasised that journalists play a supportive role in creating a language of peace to prevent bloodshed, protect the rights of victims, and end conflicts.
Drawing attention to the importance of the role the media will play in addressing the traumas inflicted on the countries by the ousted regime of Bashar Assad and building civil peace, Syria’s Minister of Information, Al-Mustafa, referred to the function of the media in providing moral compensation to victims without incitement during this process.
Türkiye has not remained a spectator to the surrounding crises."
Syria’s Minister of Information, Al-Mustafa, spoke about witnessing how facts used to be distorted in Syria and praised the courage of journalists refusing to compromise the honour of their profession.
Syria's Minister of Information, Al-Mustafa, appreciated Türkiye's role in opening its doors to heal the wounds of millions of Syrians and its efforts in the media field, underlining that Türkiye supports Syrian journalists in making their voices heard and strives to ensure documented truths are revealed before they vanish.
Syria’s Minister of Information, Al-Mustafa, said, "Turkish media outlets have acted as a solid partner by conveying the suffering of Syrians through the media, remaining true to reality, and have contributed to keeping our just cause vivid and dynamic in the conscience of the international community." The minister underlined that Türkiye has taken the initiative and pursued bold diplomatic efforts, recognising that political diplomacy could not reach its full potential without a supportive media environment, and stated that Türkiye never remained a spectator to the surrounding crises and conflicts.
Emphasising that it is an obligation to break with the concept of ‘war journalism', which focuses on amplifying hate speech, and transition to ‘peace journalism', which opens space for reason and dialogue, Syria’s Minister of Information Al-Mustafa noted that the proposals to emerge from the panel "Türkiye’s Role as a Peacekeeper in Conflict Zones from a Media Perspective" would be important in building a better tomorrow for future generations.
After their speeches, Head of Communications Duran and Syria's Minister of Information Hamza Al-Mustafa visited the photo exhibition titled "Türkiye’s Role as a Peacekeeper"
Meeting with Syrian Minister of Information Al-Mustafa
Following the panel, Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran shared a post on his NSosyal account regarding his meeting with Syrian Minister of Information Hamza Al-Mustafa.
Expressing his pleasure at hosting Syrian Minister of Information Hamza Al-Mustafa, who participated in the panel, Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran stated the following:
“During our meeting, we exchanged views on the current state and future of relations between Türkiye and Syria. We addressed the importance of maintaining open channels of communication and diplomacy for the establishment of regional peace, stability and security. We also underscored the responsibility of the media in times of conflict and the necessity of a shared understanding in safeguarding the truth.
We reaffirmed our mutual will to strengthen cooperation in the fields of strategic communication, public diplomacy and combating disinformation. Under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye continues its efforts with determination to contribute to the establishment of lasting peace, justice and stability in our region.
As the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, we will continue our work to defend the truth and to ensure that accurate information is effectively conveyed to the public.”
Presidency’s Deputy Head of Communications Ferhat Pirinççi was also present at the meeting.
