NEW YORK
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will address the high-level General Debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
The heads of state and government of member states will take to the podium in front of the gilded backdrop to the Assembly Hall to elaborate on their priorities to a global audience.
Brazil has been the first member state to speak in the General Debate since the 10th session of the General Assembly in 1955, except in 1983 and 1984.
After Brazil, the host country, the US, will take the floor.
President Erdogan will be the fourth speaker on the first day.
Before departing for New York on Sunday, he said what distinguishes this year’s General Assembly from its predecessors is that many countries will announce their recognition of the state of Palestine.
"We hope these decisions to recognize Palestine will add momentum to the implementation of the two-state solution," he added.
The president will also draw attention to the need for reform of the global governance mechanisms, especially the UN Security Council.
He has long pushed for reforms to the UN, often using the slogan “The world is bigger than five,” which refers to the Security Council’s unrepresentative membership.
Palestine conference
On Monday, President Erdogan addressed the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
"The massacre in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of more than 65,000 people, continues with all its brutality. No one with a conscience can accept what is happening, let alone remain silent in the face of such a genocide," he told the conference, where several countries, including France, announced their recognition of Palestine.
President Erdogan hailed the decision by a group of countries, including members of the UN Security Council, to recognize the state of Palestine, calling it an "extremely significant and historic step."
He also expressed hope that these steps will speed up implementation of a two-state solution.
It is necessary now to declare a ceasefire in Gaza, ensure the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid, and for Israel to withdraw its forces, he reiterated.
Sideline talks
Erdogan and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met behind closed doors Monday to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues.
During the meeting, the president expressed his satisfaction with Canada’s decision to recognize Palestine as a state and congratulated Carney.
Later, he met with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah at the Turkish House, where they discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues.
Stating that it is essential to develop relations between Türkiye and Kuwait in many areas, especially trade, President Erdogan said they will continue to work to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
He also met with European Council President Antonio Costa.
Separately, the president addressed the Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC) at Rockefeller Center, where he said Türkiye continues its efforts to advance Turkish-American relations based on alliance and strategic partnership.
"Cooperation between our countries is diversifying and deepening in many areas such as security, trade, investments, energy and education,” he added.
Earlier Monday, President Erdogan attended the Türkiye Investment Conference at the Turkish House.