Türkiye averaged annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.5% over the past 23 years under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s tenure, despite geopolitical crises in the surrounding region, Necmeddin Bilal Erdogan, chair of the Dissemination of Knowledge Society, said on Friday.
Speaking at the 19th edition of the Verona Eurasian Economic Forum kicked off in Istanbul on Thursday, he said Türkiye is taking center stage to outline its growing global responsibilities in seeking a more peaceful and equitable international order.
“I think Türkiye found a path that could benefit the world, as we move towards a multipolar order, but right now, we’re experiencing some growing pains adapting to a new world order,” he said.
Erdogan noted that Ankara will play a key role in shaping the new world order moving forward under its “Century of Türkiye” vision, as Türkiye grows its capabilities and seizes its unique potential in managing conflicts, responding to challenges and persevering under difficult conditions.
He recalled that Türkiye ranks first worldwide in humanitarian aid per capita, referring to the country’s culture of solidarity and Ankara’s belief in sharing global wealth rather than allowing it to accumulate in the hands of a select few.
“Türkiye continues to strive for a more peaceful world and has undertaken certain responsibilities in this endeavor, with Istanbul becoming one of the most suitable hubs for global conferences, as all countries can come to these meetings in the megacity, while in the past, many cities that traditionally hosted such events are now facing hardship allowing certain countries or representatives in — the fact that we’re gathered here today shows that Türkiye has much more to contribute to building a better world in the 21st century,” he said.
Erdogan also mentioned that Europe should not rely solely on the US when it comes to issues concerning sovereignty and that Türkiye can step in to assume greater responsibility in the region.
“Türkiye, under its counterterrorism initiative, is addressing this issue not only because of domestic difficulties that persisted for nearly 50 years, but also because it is in the region’s best interest,” he noted.
He added that Türkiye has been mediating and finding common ground on geopolitical issues in its immediate vicinity, engaging with all parties, and has shown commitment to ending conflicts and building stronger ties as part of the nation’s broader goal of building a better future for future generations.
Erdogan stated that the recently inked Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, a pact between Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, showed that medium-sized powers are ready to ensure regional security.
The Mecca Pact requires the three countries to treat an attack against one of the signatories as an attack on all three.
Erdogan noted that economic inequalities and disparities between the Global North and the Global South are widening, while prejudices and double standards exist in many areas, making it difficult to establish and maintain dialogue.
As with Moscow over the Russia-Ukraine war, Erdogan said Palestinian people have long been subjected to sanctions.
“Despite the ongoing genocide, there are no hopes for sanctions to be imposed on Israel at a level comparable to those of the EU’s on Russia,” he said. “We’re seeing some limited steps by the UK and Canada but these double standards continue to erode trust in Europe.”