President Erdoğan attended the opening session of TRT World Forum 2026, held at the Istanbul Congress Center and closely followed by the international public, and addressed the participants.
Greeting the representatives of academia, media and non-governmental organizations and guests from different countries of the world, President Erdoğan expressed his pleasure at being at the opening of the forum. Emphasizing that a wide range of critical issues will be discussed in the two-day organization, Erdoğan said; He thanked everyone who will contribute to the platform where many topics will be discussed, from energy to economy, from transportation to artificial intelligence, from regional crises to global challenges.
Stating that the Gaza Peace Agreement has not been implemented, Erdoğan stated that the world is watching what is happening in Gaza from the stands.
Stating that TRT successfully organized the forum, which has become one of Turkey's brand organizations, Erdoğan expressed his congratulations and gratitude to the management of the institution and said; Dear participants of TRT World Forum, valuable members of our academy, media and non-governmental community, esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen; I greet you with my most heartfelt feelings, respect and affection. I am honored to be with you at the opening of the TRT World Forum, which we organized for the tenth time this year. I would like to say welcome to Türkiye and Istanbul to all our guests who came to the forum from different corners of the world. I hope that the forum, where important issues will be discussed for two days and a wide range of current and critical issues will be discussed, will be beneficial for our countries and all humanity. I would like to thank everyone who will contribute their valuable ideas to this platform, where many topics will be discussed, from energy to economy, from artificial intelligence to transportation, from regional crises to global challenges.
"TRT'S VOICE REACHES ALL OVER THE WORLD"
I would like to express my congratulations and gratitude to the TRT management for successfully organizing the TRT World Forum, which has become one of Türkiye's brand organizations, and bringing us together this year. TRT has been on its way steadily for 62 years, without breaking its line, with its principled and responsible broadcasting approach, both in conventional media and in the digital field. TRT's voice reaches all corners of the world with its accurate and impartial journalism policy, people and truth-oriented approach, and decent and quality productions. TRT World Forum, which has been held since 2017, is a platform followed and appreciated on a global scale, where this voice is further enriched with different languages, colors and ways of thinking.
"I WISH PEACE FOR THE OPINIONED AND VICTIMED GEOGRAPHIES"
Common problems of humanity are discussed in detail by experts in their fields on this platform. In addition to current issues, light is shed here on issues that will shape the future and affect the lives of billions of people. New methods, new approaches, new solution proposals gain depth under this roof with participants from different continents. In the sessions and roundtable meetings to be held this year, nearly 150 speakers from 43 countries will hopefully make productive and comprehensive evaluations. I hope that these evaluations will be eye-opening, and I hope that the messages to be given here will lead to peace, tranquility and stability for the whole world, especially the oppressed and aggrieved geographies.
First of all, I find it useful to express this: We are going through a painful period in which power competition is becoming increasingly harsher, rules are being ignored, the rule-based system is seriously eroded, and values are literally falling into landslide. Global governance mechanisms remain inadequate and dysfunctional in solving the problems we face. Today, all the norms and principles on which the international system is built are being trampled on. We are all experiencing a structural crisis in which the old is dying and the new has not yet been born. As people of wisdom and conscience, I believe that it is our common responsibility to end this crisis with fair and equitable solutions. This year's forum will be titled "The Decentralized World: Who Leads When the Rules Fail?" In this respect, I find it extremely accurate to organize it under the title.
"TODAY'S PROBLEMS CANNOT BE SOLUTED WITH YESTERDAY'S PRESCRIPTIONS"
Not only us, but now the whole world sees and understands this truth; Today's problems cannot be solved with yesterday's prescriptions. We are all closely following the deadlocks of the current international system designed by the powerful and privileged owners of 81 years ago. When we look at the events taking place in different parts of the world, especially in our region, we see that the system is on the verge of bankruptcy. Currently, tens of millions of people are trying to hold on to life in the grip of wars, conflicts, instability, hunger and poverty. The situation has become such that cruelty and evil have become commonplace, while those calling for peace and common sense remain in the minority.
Look, right next to us, the greatest genocide of modern times took place in Gaza. Since October 2023, 75 thousand people, mostly children and women, have been brutally murdered in Israeli attacks in Gaza. 176 thousand people were injured. This figure corresponds to almost 10 times the number of martyrs in the Srebrenica genocide, which was committed before the eyes of the whole world in 1995. In the past year alone, 1,500 of our brothers and sisters lost their lives. Nearly 5,500 Palestinians were injured in the same attacks.
"SETTLER TERRORISM IS GETTING MORE RECARD EVERY DAY"
Even today, in Gaza, which has been turned into ruins, people are struggling to hold on to life in ruined houses and piles of rubble. There is a shortage of fuel and equipment in hospitals. Humanitarian aid entries are still blocked. More than 2 million civilians are forced to live in makeshift tents in primitive conditions that make those who see them ashamed of their humanity. Along with Gaza, the West Bank has also become the target of this brutality. Settler terrorism, which aims to force Palestinians to migrate from their homeland where they have lived for centuries, becomes more reckless every day under the indifferent gaze of the modern world.
I believe you followed it too; Last week, an international delegation, including MPs, academics and politicians, was not allowed to enter the West Bank. Again, 20 days ago, a photojournalist for an American-based newspaper was beaten and seriously injured by settler gang members in the West Bank. More than 3,000 attacks and violations against Palestinians in the West Bank were recorded in October alone.
"WHAT JUSTIFICATION CAN LEGITIMATE SUCH A HUMAN MURDER?"
It is possible to prolong the violations of rights, most of which are not even recorded. Well, in the face of all this, shouldn't we put our hands on our conscience and ask this? What justification could legitimize such human slaughter, occupation and usurpation? Throwing bombs at tent cities, hospitals, schools, and houses where innocent children live; What kind of reasons could there be for raining death on people whose homes have already been destroyed and forcing people to migrate? We all know that there is and cannot be any justified reason for this state of insanity or the helplessness displayed in the face of this state of insanity.
"THEY SIT, TALK AND DISPARSE"
There is a clear cruelty that everyone with a conscience, whether Muslim, Christian or Jew, should object to. This oppression fuels anger and hatred throughout our region. Here I would like to express this with regret: International structures whose duty is to ensure peace, security and stability; He watches from the stands what is happening in Gaza, as in Rwanda, Srebrenica and many other blood-soaked places. They do not take any steps other than watching human tragedies with concern or meeting them with concern. As the famous Iranian proverb says; They sit, talk and disperse.
Unfortunately, the Gaza Peace Agreement, which we helped to sign, is not implemented. The principle of pacta keeping, which is the basis of international relations, cannot be implemented. Everyone should now understand that no problem can be solved this way.
Türkiye, when it comes to lions, turns into a paper tiger when it comes to a genocide network. We will not bow to perception operations that maliciously attempt to smear and pressure Türkiye. As Türkiye, we have put our whole body and heart under the responsibility for the construction of a more just and free world.
Even if someone is disturbed or dirty campaigns are carried out, we will not step back. We will continue to resolutely defend our right to express what we know to be true and to share our solution suggestions, no matter what it takes.
