14.11.2026 20:20
Speaking at the COP31 Climate Summit held in Antalya, businessman Ali Koç corrected the moderator who referred to Türkiye as "Turkey." Reminding that the country's official name in the international arena is "Türkiye," Koç said, "In English, we need to say 'Türkiye,' not 'Turkey.' We have just transitioned to this, and I keep making the same mistake over and over again."
While the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change, which Türkiye is hosting for the first time, continues in Antalya, a brief dialogue took place between businessman Ali Koç, who attended the summit, and the moderator of an event he participated in, regarding the country’s name.
HE CORRECTED THE MODERATOR’S “TURKEY” PHRASE
When the moderator used the English term “Turkey” while referring to Türkiye at the event he attended, Ali Koç intervened and reminded that the country’s official name used internationally had changed.
Koç said, “I need to correct both you and myself. In English, we need to say ‘Türkiye,’ not ‘Turkey.’ We have just made this transition, and I also make the same mistake over and over again.”
OFFICIALLY CHANGED IN 2022
Türkiye’s English name used internationally was officially changed before the United Nations on June 1, 2022. Upon Türkiye’s request, the UN accepted the name “Türkiye” instead of the previously used “Turkey.” Thus, the country’s name used in official international correspondence became “Türkiye.”