World leaders and politicians gather in Istanbul

Turkey on Friday brought world leaders, politicians, experts, academicians, journalists and non-governmental organization officials from 40 countries under one pinnacle to discuss the pressing challenges of the current time and contribute to global peace and security.

The dignitaries held detailed discussions on Friday within different panels in the 6th edition of the TRT World Forum 2022 that will also continue on Saturday. The Forum held in-person in Istanbul following two years of going virtual as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the opening ceremony of the Forum organized under the theme “Mapping the Future: Uncertainties, Realities and Opportunities”, and gave important messages to the world on current stinking problems.

“Turkey has always stood for what’s right and it believes that terrorism should be fought globally,” Erdogan said, while see Turkey has been left alone in its fight against terrorism. The president openly lamented over Europe countries refusal to battle the scourge of the PKK/YPG terror group, and said that Turkey will continue to fight them.

He further went on saying that “allay in NATO sending weapons, ammo to terrorist in northern Syria, but keep denying them.” There is all evidence to proof this, and no one can hold “us accountable in our fight against terror,” he added.

Hinting at the Ukraine-Russia war, Erdogan said that Turkey will continue its efforts to solve the war and will soon hold talks with his counterparts on both sides on that purpose. “I will talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, likewise with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy aimed at resolving this crisis,” he said.

World is going through a crucial time

Russia-Ukraine conflict and the ongoing economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic have triggered the world into a crucial time. Given that, Erdogan said that Turkey is working for the benefit of all humanity. Erdogan showed willingness to further strengthen the grain corridor deal between Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and UN personnel to help reduce food shortages around the globe.

On July 22, the parties signed a landmark agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which had been halted since February due to war on Ukraine. Erdogan had also echoed Putin’s statement to send grain through this corridor to underdeveloped and African countries.

From the beginning, Turkey expressed readiness for mediation between Ukraine and Russia, and also carried out an intense diplomacy with the principle that there will be no winners in the war. While opposing fueling tension in the region, the president said it defends Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Istanbul grain deal “ended” threat of poverty

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also addressed the gathering via a video link, and used the opportunity to thank the Turkish President for his efforts for the crucial grain deal with Russia as well as prisoner swap agreement.

Three sides “Turkey, Ukraine and UN” put an end to the threat of poverty and food crisis, according to Zelensky as grain shortages were felt worldwide as a result of war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama in the Forum said that “Turkey’s efforts in the Ukraine-Russia war are a textbook example of middle-power activism.”

Briefing the audiences, TRT World’s Director General Mehmet Zahid Sobaci also said under the leadership of President Erdogan, Turkey is advocating for peace, rather than wars and solutions rather than conflict.

Sobaci underlined the need to think about the future of the world together, and said that Turkey plays a key role in the resolution of many conflicts.

Turkey is most reliable candidate for EU accession

Former President of the UN General Assembly Volkan Bozkir called Turkey as the most reliable candidate to become a member of the European Union.

Speaking at the 6th TRT World Forum’s “A World in Disarray: The Return of Geopolitics?” public session, he said: “If there is political consensus, you are a member in a week. But if you do not have a consensus, they will make up excuses.”

He also described Turkey as an important alliance in NATO, adding that “the US has a big size in NATO, but think about it without Turkey, NATO will not be there either.”

Disinformation in digital era

Experts and head of media outlets discussed ways to alleviate the harm caused by disinformation as part of Disarming Disinformation: Defending the Truth in the Digital Age session of the Forum.

Experts and heads of media outlets discussed ways to alleviate the harm caused by disinformation as part of Disarming Disinformation: Defending the Truth in the Digital Age session of the Forum.

News is being interrupted in a non-stop way in the digital era, said Anadolu Agency’s Deputy Director General and Editor-in-Chief Yusuf Ozhan, adding that his agency set up a verification desk recently.

“The entire media, not only news agencies but also broadcast journalism and print journalism has to evolve into a certain direction. But before that, we have to decide that evolution is either going to be in line with people’s expectations or against it,” Ozhan said regarding social media’s effect on traditional media.

A political journalist in Brussels, Dominika Cosic, pointed out how crucial it is to balance freedom of expression in the digital era, while she said that sometimes it is “very difficult” to judge what is fake news and what is true.

“In such a scenario, it is very difficult to accuse people accordingly,” Cosic added.

TRT Director Sobaci said that nearly 100 speakers and over 1,000 participants from nearly 40 countries are attending the forum and it will also feature sessions on various subjects on Saturday.