Global Order At Risk, Erdogan Issues Stark Warning

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday warned of a deepening global crisis in power and direction, saying the world had reached a “serious and dangerous threshold.”

He spoke at the opening of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 in Antalya, southern Türkiye.

Erdoğan said global mechanisms for human rights and security had remained ineffective and, at times, indifferent in the face of major crises.

He described current turmoil as “primarily a moral and existential crisis,” citing developments in Gaza after the events of October 7.

“Reading what is happening in Gaza merely as a humanitarian tragedy would be incomplete,” he said, noting it exposed limits of the global order.

He criticised responses to conflicts in Syria, Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, saying they failed “the most basic test of humanity.”

Erdoğan stressed preserving diplomacy, urging disputes not be resolved through violence.

“No matter how deep disagreements, we must not allow words to be replaced by weapons or negotiations by bloody conflict,” he said.

On tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, he urged effective use of a ceasefire to secure lasting peace.

He called on Washington and Tehran to avoid provocations and act with “prudent understanding” to end the conflict.

“We must not allow weapons to again replace words. The shortest path to peace is dialogue and diplomacy. Peace is not a one-winged bird,” he said.

Erdoğan urged vigilance against attempts to undermine negotiations, warning parties to remain “ready and vigilant”.

Highlighting the Strait of Hormuz, he said access to open seas for Gulf countries must not be restricted.

“The essential point is ensuring freedom of navigation and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to commercial shipping,” he said.

On Syria, he said strengthening stability and normalisation was vital for regional progress.

He reiterated Türkiye’s readiness to support talks, including a possible summit, if parties in the Russia-Ukraine war were willing.

Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to European Union membership, urging the bloc to overcome a “direction problem.”

He said Türkiye aimed to make the region a “basin of stability and prosperity”, rejecting “maximalist unilateral approaches” excluding Ankara and Northern Cyprus.

Erdoğan added Türkiye would pursue peaceful foreign policy, strengthen alliances and remain open to cooperation through strategic initiatives.

The forum has participants from about 150 countries, including 20 heads of state, 40 foreign ministers, and thousands of policymakers, experts and diplomats.