Speaking at the Presentation Ceremony of Atatürk International Peace Prize to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, President Erdoğan said: “As Türkiye, we are pursuing intensive diplomacy to prevent the escalation of the Iran-centered spiral of violence that carries the risk of dragging our geography into an all-out catastrophe. Despite those seeking to dishearten and deter us from the fight, we will continue to work determinedly and patiently.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented the Atatürk International Peace Prize to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in Ankara.
“We have been one of the strongest supporters of the founding values of the United Nations”
In a speech at the ceremony, President Erdoğan said: “I am feeling the joy of coming together with you on the occasion of the Conferment of the Atatürk International Peace Prize. I am pleased to be welcoming to Türkiye my esteemed friend United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who has been serving as the United Nations Secretary-General since 2017 with acumen and impartiality. Once again, I would like to welcome him to Türkiye.
Mr. Guterres’ each visit to Türkiye has carried a unique importance and meaning for us. After taking over as the UN Secretary-General in 2017, he paid his first bilateral visit to Türkiye. In his every visit thereafter, we have all witnessed his critical contributions to the projects regarding the protection of refugees and the establishment of global justice, as well as to the advancement of shuttle diplomacy concerning the war in Ukraine. On the occasion of his sixth visit to Türkiye, I am delighted to present the Atatürk International Peace Prize to my distinguished friend, who has become a voice of the silent majority for the establishment of international peace and security.
I also would like to note that I find it very valuable that he comes to our country every Ramadan to show solidarity with Muslims. I particularly congratulate him on his countless works on the fight against xenophobia, cultural racism and discrimination, currently the biggest threats to peaceful co-existence. Also, I would like to take this occasion to wholeheartedly wish for Ramadan to lead to auspicious developments for our respective countries and the humanity, opening wide the doors to peace, tranquility and stability across the world.
We continue to keep the principle of ‘peace at home, peace in the world’,--which we inherited from Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic--at the center of our foreign policy by combining it with a proactive, assertive and enterprising understanding. We have been one of the strongest supporters of the founding values of the United Nations, which represents humanity’s common conscience, the will for global solidarity, and the hope for future. Wherever there is a fire, we carry water to extinguish it, particularly in the conflicts, wars, massacres and humanitarian crises in our region. Wherever there are a tragedy, tears and suffering, we are doing our utmost to alleviate it.
“We maintain our close cooperation with the united nations to end the war and restore peace in Ukraine”
I also would like to acknowledge the efforts of my dear friend Guterres. Even before he took over this critically important duty, which he has been executing successfully for nine years, Mr. Guterres was already a politician promoting peace, dialogue and prosperity. As the Prime Minister of Portugal, he made unique contributions to the expansion of prosperity and the consolidation of democracy in his country, winning the appreciation of his people with his constructive and conciliatory politics. During the previous 10 years in office as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, he undertook exceptional efforts to ensure that the displaced were protected and treated humanely. I believe that this conscientious and decisive leadership he had displayed back then formed the basis that subsequently elevated him to the office of the United Nations Secretary-General.
During Mr. Guterres’ time in office, we have deepened and strengthened Türkiye’s contributions within the framework of the United Nations in every area. We have remained in close dialogue with Mr. Secretary-General regarding issues that pose a threat to the peace in our region and across the world throughout those 10 years. Indeed, we are pleased to see that our consultations and efforts have yielded outcomes even under the most difficult circumstances. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, as part of which we worked vigorously with Mr. Guterres, succeeded in preventing a global food crisis. We maintain our close cooperation with the United Nations to end the war and restore peace in Ukraine.
“Diplomacy and dialogue are the safest path to a fair and lasting peace”
Diplomacy and dialogue are the safest path to a fair and lasting peace. I therefore would like to stress that I consider Mr. Secretary-General’s calls for diplomacy and dialogue during these difficult days when the region has turned into a ring of fire very important in this regard. As Türkiye, we are pursuing intensive diplomacy to prevent the escalation of the Iran-centered spiral of violence that carries the risk of dragging our geography into an all-out catastrophe. Despite those seeking to dishearten and deter us from the fight, we will continue to work determinedly and patiently.
The stance Mr. Secretary-General has adopted regarding Gaza, where one of the greatest atrocities of the century has been perpetrated, will always be remembered with praise. In the face of this brutality which indeed tested our humanitarian values, Mr. Secretary-General firmly displayed the principled stance expected of him, remaining steadfast in his determination to work for a two-state solution based on the United Nations parameters. The protection of refugees, an issue that holds a unique place in Mr. Guterres’ heart, is another area in which we have worked in close cooperation. This, I would like to stress hereby, will never be forgotten.
On this occasion, I would like to reiterate my gratitude, in the person of Mr. Secretary-General, to the United Nations in its entirety, which extended their helping hand to us to heal our wounds during the difficult days we experienced following the disaster of the century.
“I am a personal witness to Mr. Secretary-General’s selfless efforts to leave future generations a livable world”
I am a personal witness to Mr. Secretary-General’s selfless efforts to leave future generations a livable world. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of the initiatives he has launched regarding the fight against climate change. As Türkiye, we are preparing to host the COP31 in November 2026 to contribute to those initiatives.
I would like to once again extend my gratitude to Mr. Guterres for his support for, as well as for being one of the first signatories of the Global Commitment to the Zero Waste during the United Nations process whereby the Zero Waste project, launched in 2017 under the leadership of my wife Emine Erdoğan, turned into a global movement.
We are prepared to implement the United Nations Home project, which will gather the UN offices under the same roof in line with our vision to make Istanbul a UN hub. I believe that this project, at a national level, will significantly contribute to Mr. Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative. Every crisis and every incident we experience validates the observation we made 13 years ago that the ‘world is bigger than five’. As a leader who believes that there can be no development, peace or stability in the world without justice, I will continue to support every effort aimed at turning the United Nations into a more inclusive formation.
Mr. Secretary-General, I believe that despite the defamation campaigns targeting you and the organization you are leading, the principled and devoted efforts you have been exerting for the settlement of humanitarian crises and the establishment of international peace, particularly in Gaza, are perfectly compatible with the spirit, meaning and purposes of this outstanding prize. I greet, in your person, all the United Nations personnel tirelessly working for peace under harsh circumstances in every corner of the world, and remember with respect the United Nation workers who lost their lives.”
