06.11.2026 16:10
Speaking at the TRT World Forum 2026 event, President Erdoğan said, "Only those who are determined, those who risk their lives when necessary, can walk this rugged path. Only those who have a plane tree named compassion in their hearts can hear the voices of the oppressed and victims and make them heard to the world." Erdoğan's remarks received a standing ovation from the audience.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made striking remarks at the TRT World Forum 2026 event at the Istanbul Congress Center. "The Gaza Peace Agreement, to whose signing we also contributed, unfortunately is not being implemented," Erdoğan said, adding: "The principle of 'fidelity to commitments,' which is the foundation of international relations, cannot be put into practice. Everyone must understand that no problem can be solved this way. The international system has collapsed."
WORDS APPLAUDED WITH A STANDING OVATION
Continuing his speech, Erdoğan said, "Only those who are determined, who risk their lives when necessary, can walk this rugged path; only those who have a plane tree called mercy in their hearts can hear the voice of the oppressed and victimized and make it heard to the world," and his words were applauded by those in the hall with a long standing ovation.
Highlights from Erdoğan's remarks;
"President Erdoğan, who greeted representatives of academia, the media and civil society organizations as well as guests from different countries of the world, expressed his satisfaction at being at the opening of the forum. Emphasizing that critical issues across a wide spectrum would be put on the table during the two-day organization, Erdoğan thanked everyone who would contribute to the platform where many topics—from energy to economy, from transportation to artificial intelligence, from regional crises to global challenges—would be consulted.
Stating that the Gaza Peace Agreement was not being implemented, Erdoğan expressed that the world was watching what happened in Gaza from the stands.
Expressing that TRT had successfully organized the forum, which has become one of Türkiye's signature organizations, Erdoğan conveyed his congratulations and gratitude to the institution's management and noted the following;
Distinguished participants of the TRT World Forum, valuable members of our academia, media and civil society community, esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen; I greet you with my most heartfelt feelings, with respect and affection. I am experiencing the happiness of being with you at the opening of the TRT World Forum, which we are organizing for the tenth time this year. To all our guests who have honored the forum from different corners of the world, I say welcome to Türkiye and Istanbul, you have brought joy. I wish that the forum, where important issues will be addressed for two days and current and critical matters will be discussed across a wide spectrum, will be auspicious for our countries and all humanity. I thank in advance everyone who will contribute with their valuable ideas to this platform, where many topics—from energy to economy, from artificial intelligence to transportation, from regional crises to global challenges—will be consulted.
"TRT'S VOICE REACHES ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE WORLD"
I likewise convey my congratulations and gratitude to the TRT management, which has successfully organized the TRT World Forum—now one of Türkiye's signature organizations—this year as well and brought us together. TRT continues its path steadily for a full 62 years, without ever deviating from its line, with a principled and responsible broadcasting approach in both conventional media and the digital sphere. With its accurate and impartial journalism policy, its human- and truth-oriented approach, and its refined and high-quality productions, TRT's voice reaches all four corners of the world. The TRT World Forum, held since 2017, is a platform that has been followed and appreciated on a global scale, where this voice becomes even richer with different languages, colors and ways of thinking.
"I WISH PEACE FOR OPPRESSED AND VICTIMIZED GEOGRAPHIES"
Humanity's common problems are being addressed in detail by experts in their fields on this platform. In addition to current issues, matters that will shape the future and affect the lives of billions of people are illuminated here. New methods, new approaches and new solution proposals gain depth under this roof with participants from different continents. At the sessions and roundtable meetings to be held this year, nearly 150 speakers from 43 countries will, God willing, make assessments that are as productive and encompassing as possible. I wish these assessments to be enlightening, and I hope that the messages to be given here will be a means of peace, tranquility and stability for the entire world, especially for oppressed and victimized geographies.
I consider it useful to state the following first: We are going through a painful period in which the competition for power is becoming increasingly harsh, rules are ignored, the rule-based system is seriously eroded, and values are, as it were, undergoing a landslide. Global governance mechanisms remain inadequate and dysfunctional in bringing the problems we face to a solution. All the norms and principles on which the international system was built are today being trampled underfoot. We are all experiencing a structural crisis in which the old is dying and the new has not yet been born. As people of reason and conscience, I believe it is our common responsibility to end this crisis with fair and equitable solutions. In this regard, I find it extremely apt that this year's forum is being organized under the title "A Centerless World: Who Leads When Rules Become Invalid?"
"YESTERDAY'S PRESCRIPTIONS CANNOT CURE TODAY'S PROBLEMS"
Not only we, but now the whole world sees and understands this truth: Yesterday's prescriptions cannot cure today's problems. We all closely follow the deadlocks of the current international system, which was designed by the power and privilege holders of 81 years ago. When we look at the events taking place in different parts of the world, especially in our region, it is seen that the system has raised the flag of bankruptcy. At present, 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 reached such a point that, while cruelty and evil have become ordinary, those calling for peace and common sense have remained in the minority.
Look, right next to us, in Gaza, the greatest genocide of modern times has taken place. Since October 2023, 75,000 people in Gaza, mostly children and women, have been ruthlessly massacred in Israeli attacks. 176,000 people were injured. This figure corresponds to nearly 10 times the number of martyrs in the Srebrenica genocide, which was also committed in 1995 before the eyes of the whole world. In the past year alone, 1,500 of our brothers and sisters lost their lives. In the same attacks, nearly 5,500 Palestinians were injured.
"SETTLER TERRORISM IS BECOMING MORE BRAZEN EVERY DAY"
Even today, in Gaza, which has been turned into ruins, people are struggling to hold on to life in dilapidated houses, amid piles of rubble. Hospitals are suffering from fuel and equipment shortages. Humanitarian aid entry is still being blocked. More than 2 million civilians are being forced to live in makeshift tents under primitive conditions that make all who see them ashamed of their humanity. Along with Gaza, the West Bank has also become a target of this cruelty. Settler terrorism, which aims to forcibly displace Palestinians from the lands of their homeland where they have lived for centuries, is becoming more brazen every day under the indifferent gaze of the modern world.
I believe you have 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 from a US-based newspaper was beaten and seriously injured by members of settler gangs in the West Bank. In October alone, more than 3,000 attacks and violations against Palestinians in the West Bank were recorded.
"WHAT JUSTIFICATION CAN LEGITIMIZE SUCH A MASSACRE OF PEOPLE?"
It is possible to extend further the human rights violations, most of which are not even recorded. So, in the face of all this, shouldn't we put our hands on our consciences and ask this? What justification can legitimize such a massacre of people, an occupation, a seizure? What kind of justifications can there be for bombing tent cities, hospitals, schools, and homes where innocent children live; for raining death on people whose homes have already collapsed on their heads; for forcing people to migrate? We all know that neither this madness nor the helplessness displayed in the face of this madness has any valid reason, and cannot have one.
"THEY SIT, THEY TALK AND THEY DISPERSE"
There is a blatant persecution that everyone with a conscience, whether Muslim, Christian or Jewish, must object to. This persecution fuels anger and hatred throughout our region. Here I also want to state with sorrow that international structures whose duty is to ensure peace, security and stability are watching what is happening in Gaza from the stands, just as they did before in Rwanda, Srebrenica and many places stained with blood. They take no step other than watching humanitarian tragedies with concern or receiving them with concern. As the famous Iranian proverb says: they sit, they talk and they disperse.
The Gaza Peace Agreement, to whose signing we also contributed, is unfortunately not being implemented. The principle of pacta sunt servanda, which is the foundation of international relations, cannot be put into practice. Everyone must now understand that no problem can be solved in this way.
Those who become lions when it comes to Turkey, when the issue is the genocide network, you see them immediately turn into paper tigers. We will not bow to perception operations that try to malign and squeeze Turkey with ill intentions. As Turkey, we have put our whole body and heart under the stone for the construction of a more just and free world.
Even if some are disturbed and dirty campaigns are carried out, we will not step back. At any cost, we will continue to voice what we know to be true, to share our proposed solutions and to defend the right with determination. "
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