“Today is the day to stand upright by the oppressed Palestinians in the name of humanity”
Addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Erdoğan said: “Here, in America, in Europe, everywhere in the world, if a small thorn pricks a child's hand, parents' hearts hurt deeply; but in Gaza, children's hands, arms, and legs have to be amputated without anesthesia. Let us be clear: This is the lowest point of humanity. Human history has not witnessed such savagery in the last century. Everything is unfolding right before our eyes.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“I greet you with my most heartfelt feelings on behalf of myself and my nation. I wish the 80th General Assembly to be beneficial to all humanity. I am very pleased to address you once again from this rostrum, which represents the collective conscience of humanity.
I would like to congratulate Mr. Philemon YANG, who has completed his Presidency of the General Assembly, and I wish success to Ms. Annalena Baerbock, who assumed this duty.
“IN GAZA, A GENOCIDE HAS BEEN GOING ON BEFORE OUR EYES FOR OVER 700 DAYS”
At the beginning of my speech, at a time when Palestine is being recognized by an increasing number of countries, I would like to express my regret that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is not with us today. Today, we stand here at this rostrum for our own citizens, but also for our Palestinian brothers and sisters whose voice is attempted to be silenced. I thank all countries that have announced their recognition of the State of Palestine; and I call on those states that have not yet taken this decision to act without any delay.
The Charter of the United Nations was signed in San Francisco 80 years ago and entered into force on 24 October 1945. I would like to recall here once again the very first sentence of the first Article of the Charter of the United Nations: “THE PURPOSE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IS TO MAINTAIN INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY.” As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations in this hall, grave events are unfolding in many parts of the world that cast a shadow over the very first words of this first Article of the Charter. Particularly in Gaza, a genocide has been going on before our eyes for over 700 days. Even as we meet, civilians are being slaughtered in Gaza. The number of civilians who died in Gaza has surpassed 65,000. It is not yet known how many bodies are under the rubble. More than 20,000 of the dead are children. For the past 23 months, every hour, yes, every hour, a child has been brutally torn from life in Gaza by Israel. These are not numbers, my friends, they are all lives, innocent human beings. Right now, people are being killed not only with firearms, but also with the weaponised hunger. In the 21st century, 428 people, including 146 children, died of starvation before the eyes of the so-called civilized world and the number is increasing every day.
Now, I am going to show you a photo that shows daily life in Gaza. First photo, as you see, women with washbowls in their hands. Let us all put our hands on our hearts and answer. Could there be a reasonable justification for such cruelty in the year 2025? And yet, this shameful scene repeats itself every day in Gaza for 23 months. 2.5 million Gazans living within 365 square kilometres are displaced every day, forced to migrate to another area every single day.
Gaza's healthcare infrastructure has completely collapsed. Doctors were killed or forcibly disappeared in detention. Doctors are killed or detained. The ambulances are targeted. Hospitals are bombed and destroyed. Medical treatment is not possible, surgery is not possible, finding medication is not possible.
As Tayyip Erdoğan, I am saying this with my heart torn out and in deep sorrow: Today, innocent little children, only 2 or 3 years old, without hands, arms, or legs, have unfortunately become an everyday picture in Gaza.
“THE UNITED NATIONS HAS FAILED TO PROTECT EVEN ITS OWN STAFF IN GAZA”
[Showing the second picture depicting a starving child] Who on earth with a conscience can bear this sight, who on earth with a conscience can remain silent about this? Can there ever be peace in a world where children die of hunger and lack of medicine?
We are all parents, we all have children and grandchildren whom we cherish. Here, in America, in Europe, everywhere in the world, if a small thorn pricks a child's hand, parents' hearts hurt deeply; but in Gaza, children's hands, arms, and legs have to be amputated without anesthesia. Let us be clear: This is the lowest point of humanity. Human history has not witnessed such savagery in the last century. Everything is unfolding right before our eyes. The genocide in Gaza is being broadcast live at any moment through the media and social media. Israel has intentionally killed 250 journalists working for national and international media in Gaza so far; it has banned all access into Gaza. But still, it could not hide the genocide. I sincerely support Secretary-General GUTERRES, who draws attention at every opportunity to the ongoing genocide in Palestine; I congratulate him once again for his courage and dedication. However, the United Nations has failed to protect even its own staff in Gaza. In Gaza, 500 people rushing to help others have been killed, 326 of whom are UN personnel.
Genocide, just like the Holocaust, is a shameful, inhumane, barbaric term used to define the mass extermination of people.
“ISRAEL THREATENS REGIONAL PEACE”
But today in Gaza, it is not only people who are being killed. Animals are being targeted and killed in Gaza. Agricultural fields, gardens, trees, grasses in Gaza; centuries-old olive trees in Gaza are being destroyed. Water resources in Gaza are being destroyed and polluted. Buildings, houses, libraries, hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, and historical structures are being deliberately demolished in Gaza. The soil of Gaza is being rendered unusable for humans, animals, and plants. Here is yet another photo for you. Now I wish to ask you, what does this photo in my hand have to do with the search for security? Is this not called “hostility towards the living beings, hostility towards life”? I state frankly from this rostrum: There is no war in Gaza. There can be no talk of two belligerent parties in Gaza. In Gaza, on one side, there is a regular army equipped with the most modern, most lethal weapons, and on the other side there are innocent civilians, innocent children. This is not a fight against terrorism. This is an occupation, deportation, exile, genocide; this is in fact a policy of collective extermination carried out under the pretext of the October 7 incident.
Today, while Gaza is being destroyed under the pretext of HAMAS, simultaneously, the WEST BANK, which is not under HAMAS control, is being occupied step by step, and innocent civilians are being massacred through executions.
Moreover, Israel does not confine itself to Gaza and the West Bank, but threatens also regional peace by launching attacks on Syria, Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon. Most recently, Israel targeted the ceasefire negotiator team in the mediator country, Qatar.
“IN GAZA, CEASEFIRE SHOULD BE REACHED IMMEDIATELY”
The attack on Qatar has revealed that the Israeli Government has totally lost control. It has become clear once again that Netanyahu has no intention of making peace or rescuing the hostages. Not only their neighbouring countries, all Middle-Eastern countries are subjected to the reckless threats of the Israeli Government. Let us also acknowledge that; due to the escalating aggression of Israel, the values which prevailed after the Second World War in the West, particularly in Europe, have also been severely damaged. Concepts such as the fundamental human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and demonstration, women’s rights, children’s rights, democracy, equality, and justice have been shelved. My distinguished friends, at this point, we need to face this reality: The Israeli Government, driven by the obsession with “THE PROMISED LAND”, is targeting the regional peace and the humanity’s common achievements with an expansionist policy. Jerusalem, the holy city of the three Abrahamic religions, the common heritage of the humanity, is being directly targeted by this radicalism. This state of insanity, which also disturbs the conscientious Jews, and which is not approved by them, moreover, which fuels ANTI-SEMITISM throughout the world, can no longer continue. In Gaza, ceasefire should be reached immediately, attacks should stop, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid must absolutely be allowed. It must be ensured that the cadre of genocide is held accountable before international law. Inshallah, this will definitely happen. Those who don’t raise their voices and don’t take a stance against the barbarism in Gaza are complicit in this savagery.
Here, I sincerely appeal to all Heads of State and Government: Today is the day. Today is the day to stand upright by the oppressed Palestinians in the name of humanity. While your people react against the barbarism in Gaza, have the courage to follow through. Fulfil your duty to humanity towards Gaza, where children are raising children. On this occasion, I send my most heartfelt regards to all defenders of Palestine, academics, artists, politicians, activists, and students, who have filled the squares in different countries around the world to stand up for the oppressed people of Gaza and who have set sail across the seas to support the innocent people of Gaza.
“WE WILL SUPPORT WITH ALL OUR MEANS THE VISION OF A ONE AND UNITED SYRIA”
For 13 years, I have spoken to you from this rostrum about the oppression and conflicts in our neighbour Syria. Just as we raise our voices today for the oppressed people of Gaza, we had also drawn attention to the cries of the Syrians for 13 years; here, we had been their voice and their breath. The oppression that cost the lives of one million people and forced millions more to leave their homeland has, Praise be to God, become history with the revolution of 8 December.
Our Syrian brothers and sisters ushered in a new era as of 8 December. I believe that the people of Syria, who have prevailed against a regime stained with blood, will carry their hard-won victory, achieved through immense sacrifice, to its rightful conclusion. We will support with all our means the vision of a one and united Syria, free from all forms of terrorism, including DAESH, and where security is established. As stability takes its roots in Syria, there is no doubt that all neighbouring countries and our entire region will be the beneficiaries together with the Syrians. I would also like to express my gratitude to our sister countries in the Gulf for their contributions to Syria’s recovery process. God willing, we will maintain our cooperation with all regional and international actors who share the same principles as us. We hope that the nuclear issue with our neighbour Iran will be resolved through diplomacy as soon as possible. We must keep in mind that our region cannot withstand another crisis. The stability, security and prosperity of our neighbour Iraq is of great importance for the peace in our region. In this regard, we attach great importance to strategic initiatives such as the Development Road Project that prioritize collective development. In the north, we host with great enthusiasm the Istanbul Process between Russia and Ukraine, both of which are our neighbours. Through direct negotiations, we facilitated the exchange of numerous prisoners and bodies; we endeavoured to identify the modalities of peace negotiations between the parties. We will continue to strive for a ceasefire in the coming period, guided by the principle “WAR HAS NO WINNERS, A JUST PEACE HAS NO LOSERS”.
“WE CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO HELP RESOLVE THE DISPUTE BETWEEN SOMALIA AND ETHIOPIA”
Between Azerbaijan and Armenia, we have encouraged both parties from the beginning to establish peace. In this regard, we are pleased to see that conducive steps have been taken to establish lasting peace between the two countries on 8 August 2025. I congratulate here once again Mr. Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, Mr. Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, as well as Mr. Trump, President of the United States, who has contributed to the process.
On this occasion, I would also like to state that the normalization process between our country and Armenia is moving forward on its own track. Within the framework of another mediation activity of ours, the Ankara Process, we continue our efforts to help resolve the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia. I hope that the parties will bring this sincere initiative to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.
“TURKISH CYPRIOTS ARE EQUAL OWNERS OF THE ISLAND AND THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT BEING A MINORITY”
We continue to implement impartially and to the letter, the Montreux Convention, which has been the guarantee of security in the Black Sea for exactly 89 years. We wish to see the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean as a region of stability and prosperity where the legitimate interests of all parties concerned are respected. We are ready for constructive cooperation on all issues, in particular energy and the environment, and we expect the same approach from our neighbours. On this occasion, I would like to emphasize here that projects in the Eastern Mediterranean that exclude Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus cannot succeed. Türkiye has rights and jurisdiction in the west of the island of Cyprus, while the Turkish Cypriots have legitimate rights in the areas surrounding the island. The Eastern Mediterranean Conference, which we have proposed before, will contribute to finding a common ground. The solution cannot be based on the federation model, which has been well-tried many times before but has been exhausted due to the intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot side. On the island of Cyprus, there exist two separate states and two separate peoples. Turkish Cypriots are equal owners of the island and they will not accept being a minority. The international community must finally put an end to the unjust and inhumane isolation that Turkish Cypriots are being subjected to for half a century. Today, I reiterate once again the same call I voiced at the last three UN General Assemblies: I invite the international community to recognise and establish diplomatic, political and economic relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
“IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE EUROPEAN UNION IS AS WILLING AND DETERMINED AS WE ARE”
In the coming period, we wish for a fresh start and a new vision for Türkiye-European Union relations. This vision should not be one that would save the day - it should be a vision redefining the horizon, and shaping our common future. It is therefore important, of course, that the European Union is as willing and determined as we are.
As a net security provider country, we continue to contribute to the operations and missions of the United Nations, NATO, OSCE and the European Union. We will host the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara. We continue to strengthen our relations with the United States, our NATO ally, in many areas, including particularly trade, investments, energy, and the defence industry.
“WE CONSIDER THE PRESERVATION OF PEACE AND STABILITY IN SOUTH ASIA TO BE OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE”
The peace, stability and prosperity of our brotherly countries in Central Asia, our ancestral homeland, are indispensable to us. The Organization of Turkic States progresses steadily toward becoming a global actor - moving beyond its role as a regional umbrella organization. We make intensive efforts to ensure the maintenance of peace and stability in the Balkans, where we have strong historical, cultural, and human ties. The “Balkans Peace Platform” we established in July is the latest example of our efforts to this end. We will once again assume the command of KFOR this October. It is our primary desire that the current administration in Afghanistan demonstrates an approach that embraces society and upholds common values of humanity. It is crucial that the international community does not leave the Afghan people alone during this period. We will stand by our Afghan sisters and brothers in the future, just as we did before. We consider the preservation of peace and stability in South Asia to be of utmost importance. We are pleased with the ceasefire between Pakistan and India that was reached amid tensions which led to a conflict in April. We attach importance to cooperation between the two countries in counterterrorism efforts. We support resolving the Kashmir issue based on the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, through dialogue and in line with the expectations of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Our relations with the African continent are growing stronger by the year across a wide range of areas, from education to health, infrastructure to trade. We continue our humanitarian aid activities while providing all possible support to Somalia in its fight against terrorism. The conflict environment in Sudan, which has been ongoing for over two years, saddens us greatly. It is the shared responsibility of the international community to stop the bloodshed and to establish sustainable peace in Sudan; our efforts to this end will continue.
“WE ATTRIBUTE GREAT IMPORTANCE TO DEVELOPING OUR RELATIONS WITH LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN REGION”
The Great Lakes Region has suffered greatly from the instability and conflicts that have persisted for years. It is our hope that these conflicts taking place in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be settled. We sincerely support the efforts made under the mediation of the United States and the facilitation of Qatar. The increasing terrorist activities in West Africa, particularly in the Coastal Basin, also concern us. We will maintain our continuous efforts to ensure that the people of this region, with whom we share historical ties, achieve peace, tranquility, and stability.
I would like to underline that our relations with Asian countries which draws its inspiration from the double-headed Seljuk eagle and which we pursue with a 360-degree approach, have a great strategic importance in Turkish foreign policy. Within the framework of our “Asia Anew Initiative”, we deepen our engagement with regional organizations such as ASEAN. We attribute great importance to developing our relations with Latin America and the Caribbean region in a spirit of partnership and with a “win-win” approach. We remain committed to further advancing the friendly ties that we have established with all countries in the region.
“WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF GLOBAL TRADE”
Increasing protectionist tendencies in international trade and disruptions in supply chains are leading to fundamental changes in the global economy. We support reforming the rules-based international trade system, including the World Trade Organization, to successfully address current challenges. I believe access to affordable, secure, and sustainable energy is indispensable for achieving the development goals of developing countries in particular. We are resolutely implementing the strategically important The Trans-Caspian East-West-Middle Corridor project which stretches from China to Europe. We contribute to the development of global trade with our modern transportation infrastructure and the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars Railway.
With the goal of building a future that respects nature, we are resolutely heading towards our 2053 Net Zero Emissions target. We are also pleased to see that the Zero Waste Initiative, under the auspices of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, has become a wave of awareness that grows year after year across the world, reaching more people and hearts. In this process, it is no longer optional for developed countries to fulfil their responsibilities; it has become an obligation.
“HUMANITY IS ALSO WITNESSING AN EXTRAORDINARY LEAP IN THE FIELD OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE”
As one of the world's largest contributors to development assistance, we are working towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve the 2030 Goals and enable hundreds of millions of people around the world to live in dignity, we advocate for the global financing architecture to be aligned with the principle of “leaving no one behind.” I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that: While we are dealing with geopolitical challenges, humanity is also witnessing an extraordinary leap in the field of Artificial Intelligence. And no society should be deprived of the transformative power and benefits offered by these technologies that will change the face of our world. Artificial intelligence technologies should be used for the benefit of humanity, not as a new tool for domination. The United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries, hosted by Türkiye, plays a pivotal role in bridging the digital and technological gap. I believe that the Convention on the Rights of the Child in the Digital World, which we have prepared and opened for signature, will raise global awareness. We expect your strong support for our efforts. On the other hand, in today's world where racism, xenophobia, and particularly Islamophobia have reached alarming levels, confronting these movements that endanger the culture of coexistence has become an imperative for humanity. It is of great significance that Mr. Moratinos, the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, has been appointed as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.
As I emphasized here last year, the family institution today faces threats of an unprecedented scale. Defending the family, founded upon the union of man and woman, is at the same time a defence of humanity, human nature, life and our shared future. Türkiye will resolutely continue to uphold and protect the family in the face of growing challenges.
“IT IS OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE DECISIVE STEPS THAT WILL RESTORE THE UNITED NATIONS TO THE SPIRIT OF ITS FOUNDING”
The United Nations, founded to ensure that humanity never again suffers the calamity of war, is rooted in values that have the power to shed light upon the dark times we are witnessing today. We fully support the UN80 Initiative, launched by Secretary-General Guterres, to make our Organization more effective and efficient. I sincerely hope that this initiative will succeed as a process that further reinforces all the efforts of the United Nations. I wish to express that we are ready to give robust support to this process, inspired by our vision of making Istanbul a centre for the United Nations. I sincerely believe that it is our collective responsibility, on the United Nations’ 80th anniversary, to take decisive steps that will restore the United Nations to the spirit of its founding. We will continue to assert that “THE WORLD IS BIGGER THAN FIVE" until a system is established where ‘‘right makes might, instead of might makes right’’. Our duty is not to abandon the system; it is to repair it and make it operational again. A fairer world is undoubtedly possible. Türkiye will patiently continue its struggle “to build a fairer world”. May Allah help and guide you in our endeavors. I salute you all once again with affection and respect. May you all remain in good health…”
