President Erdoğan: The international community is facing the greatest global challenge of the 21st century

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed via videomessage the Special Session in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic of the United Nations General Assembly.

President Erdoğan said: “The international community is facing the greatest global challenge of the 21st century. The key to overcoming this difficult period is international cooperation and global solidarity. This session is therefore extremely timely and useful.”

“SINCE THE FIRST DAYS OF THE OUTBREAK, TURKEY HAS ACTED IN COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY”

“I would like to thank everyone supporting the organization of this Special Session, especially my Dear Brother President Aliyev, who pioneered this initiative as the Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement, and Mr. Bozkır, President of the General Assembly. Since the first days of the outbreak, Turkey has acted in cooperation with the international community.

In addition to the United Nations, we have been at the forefront of the activities at the World Health Organization, the G20, MIKTA, the Turkic Council, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international platforms. To date, we have provided assistance to 156 countries and 9 international organizations. We are supporting countries and regions suffering from issues related to food security in pandemic circumstances. We are carrying out special programs in 16 countries for disadvantaged groups such as the elderly, the disabled and orphans.

We are conducting training programs in some developing countries for the production of personal protective equipment using local resources. We are trying to provide budget support to some countries facing economic difficulties due to the pandemic. Our private sector also contributes to our efforts in the public sphere.

To date, more than 50 Turkish companies have supported the fight against the pandemic in more than 20 countries in various ways. The world has pinned its hopes on the news about vaccine production. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate in your presence Prof. Uğur Şahin and Dr. Özlem Türeci, founders of the company BioNTech, who achieved a significant success in vaccine development and are participating online in this session. We are also very pleased that in one of Turkey’s 16 vaccine research studies, 12 of which are on the list of the World Health Organization, the phase of human trials has begun. 

“THE MEASURES MUST BE INCLUSIVE, AND ATTENTION MUST BE PAID TO THE NEEDS OF VULNERABLE AND DISADVANTAGED GROUPS”

Thanks to the efforts spearheaded by Turkey, the year 2021 was declared the “International Year of Health and Care Workers” by the World Health Organization. In this regard, I would like to express my gratitude to all health and care workers who are working selflessly all around the world.

The World Health Organization’s Geographically Dispersed Office for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies was established in Istanbul in September. This office, as a manifestation of Turkey’s support for the work of the World Health Organization, will strengthen the efforts aimed at fighting the pandemic.

Turkey’s strong agriculture, food and manufacturing sectors, city hospitals, experienced and dedicated health workers and comprehensive social security system are our most significant assets in this process. There are vulnerable groups all over the world, who are affected much more in this period. The measures must be inclusive, and attention must be paid to the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. With this in mind, we attach special importance to protecting the rights of women, children, the elderly and the disabled. 3.6 million Syrians under our protection benefit from health services in our country just like our citizens. We are aware that COVID-19 will be with us for a while. Indeed, the increase in the number of cases, patients and deaths around the world in recent weeks reminds us all of this fact.

“THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MUST BE STRENGTHENED TO MAKE THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM MORE EFFECTIVE, DEMOCRATIC, EQUITABLE AND TRANSPARENT”

In this process, it is necessary to combat not only the pandemic but also the growing Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism. We have supported from the beginning the “Debt Relief Initiative” launched by the G20 platform, of which we are a member. I would also like to remind you that we must accelerate our efforts, including the development of sustainable supply chains and distribution networks, to ensure the transition to the "New Normal".

Another matter the pandemic reminds us of is that the United Nations system must be reformed according to today’s threats and needs. I believe that the General Assembly must be strengthened to make the United Nations system more effective, democratic, equitable and transparent. As I conclude my remarks, I hope that this special session will give impetus to the international community’s fight against the pandemic.”