President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan engaged in a busy schedule of diplomatic activities in November, participating in five international summits.
President Erdoğan began his international agenda for November in Kyrgyzstan.
On November 5–6, he attended the 11th Summit of the Heads of State of the Organisation of Turkic States in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Speaking at the summit, held under the theme “Strengthening the Turkic World: Economic Integration, Sustainable Development, Digital Future, and Security for All,” President Erdoğan remarked, “The international community is failing gravely in stopping the genocide occurring in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza.”
President Erdoğan, stating that the United Nations Security Council, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, has failed to convene and make decisions, said: "Or rather, it does not want to. The racist mindset of the Netanyahu government seeks to displace Palestinians in the West Bank under the shadow of the atrocities in Gaza and intends to alter the status of Al-Aqsa Mosque, our first qibla."
President Erdoğan pointed out that nearly 50,000 innocent people had lost their lives in the attacks on Gaza. He declared, “Türkiye does not accept this brutality, this inhumane massacre. We are working tirelessly on bilateral and multilateral platforms to stop Israel and to establish lasting peace based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of a sovereign Palestinian state. I believe the Turkic world must also adopt a resolute stance.”
5th European Political Community Summit
Following his engagements in Bishkek, President Erdoğan travelled to Hungary.
In Budapest, he attended the 5th European Political Community Summit on November 6–7. Addressing Türkiye’s EU accession process, he said, “A fair enlargement policy is clearly the most significant geopolitical tool of the Union. There is no reasonable justification for blocking for years the accession of a member country like Türkiye, which significantly contributes to the prosperity and security of the continent.”
President Erdoğan described the European Political Community as a platform for discussing common threats to the continent in an atmosphere of sincerity. He emphasised that Türkiye, with its strong military, deep-rooted state experience, principled foreign policy, and skilled human resources, would continue to serve as an island of stability.
Referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, now in its third year, President Erdoğan stated that an even greater humanitarian tragedy than the devastation in Ukraine was unfolding in the Middle East.
President Erdoğan underlined that the ongoing genocide in Gaza was a collective shame for humanity and added, “The immoral and unlawful attacks recently expanded to the West Bank and Lebanon. It is evident to anyone with a conscience that an immediate ceasefire and uninterrupted humanitarian aid are essential, especially given the loss of nearly 50,000 lives. Those who unconditionally support Israel’s aggression should know that they become complicit in the crimes being committed.”
Visits to Two Countries in One Day
On November 11 and 12, President Erdoğan paid official visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.
At the Extraordinary Joint Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh on November 11, President Erdoğan stated that the Netanyahu government was escalating tensions with Iran while continuing its attacks on Lebanon.
Stating that Israel could not tolerate even humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, President Erdoğan remarked, “Israel aims to settle in Gaza, erase Palestinian presence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and ultimately annex these territories. We must prevent this. While a handful of Western nations provide Israel with all forms of military, political, economic, and moral support, the insufficient response of Muslim countries has unfortunately contributed to the current state of affairs.”
Later that day, President Erdoğan travelled to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to attend the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).
At the COP29 World Leaders Climate Summit, President Erdoğan highlighted Israel’s continued unlawful and immoral attacks against Palestine and Lebanon. He noted, “This government, without regard for children, women, or the elderly, persists in killing people and causing significant environmental destruction. Chemicals leaking into the soil and groundwater due to Israeli attacks have already darkened the future of children in Gaza. Those responsible for this severe humanitarian and environmental disaster must be held accountable before international courts.”
19th Heads of State and Government Summit of G20
Following COP29, President Erdoğan attended the 19th Heads of State and Government Summit of G20 held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18–19.
During the session titled "Social Inclusion and Combating Hunger and Poverty," President Erdoğan stated:
"Particularly in Gaza, the risk of famine has reached the 'catastrophic' level according to international classifications. Ninety-six per cent of Gaza's population, in other words, more than 2 million people, lack access to adequate food and water. With escalating attacks and the approaching winter season, conditions for the people of Gaza worsen day by day. As Türkiye, we have delivered over 86,000 tons of aid to the region, while our assistance to Lebanon has exceeded 1,300 tons. Once again, I call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the face of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza."
In addition, President Erdoğan held bilateral and delegation-level meetings with heads of state and government during the summits he attended.