What did President Erdoğan of Türkiye say at the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81)?
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the UN is no longer able to fulfil its mission, called Gaza “the most inhumane, most shameful concentration camp of our time”, urged more pressure on Israel, and repeated that “the world is bigger than five”. Israel’s delegation walked out.
Answer from Mary's digital twin. Checkmark turns Green once she confirms it.
He addressed the general debate on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as the fourth speaker of the morning session.
The speech in brief
- The UN. Founded 81 years ago to keep the peace, it “is no longer able to fulfil this mission”, he said. The past year was among the bloodiest in 30 years.
- Gaza. He spoke of genocide, said more than 1,300 civilians had been killed despite the so-called ceasefire, and called Gaza the world’s largest graveyard for children.
- Palestine. He pledged to keep being “the voice of a free and sovereign Palestinian state”, with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders.
- Security Council. A system where the will of more than 190 countries depends on five is neither fair nor trusted.
- Cyprus. He called on the world to recognize the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, which drew a sharp response in Greece and Cyprus.
- Ukraine. He hopes to end the war while keeping Ukraine’s territory and sovereignty intact.
In his own words
He spoke in Turkish. The English quotes are published translations, from the UN and news outlets, and their wording varies.
We face a genocidal mindset that can never get enough of killing.
“The world is bigger than five.”
- Gaza “has become the most inhumane and shameful concentration camp of our time.” (UN translation)
“I call on you to exert greater pressure on Israel. Attempts to suffocate Palestine will fail.”
“We may endure hardships, we may pay a price, but we will not remain silent in the face of injustice.”
“As long as God grants me life, I will continue to be the voice of the oppressed from this podium.”
In the hall
- Al Jazeera reported that Israel’s delegation walked out during the speech while Palestinian representatives applauded.
Watch and read the full speech
The UN’s own video of the whole Day 1 session:
Watch Day 1 of the UNGA 81 general debate on the UN’s YouTube channel
UN Web TVWatch Day 1 of the general debate on UN Web TV
The UN posts the statement on its general debate website.
Every Day 1 speaker, in order: What happened on Day 1 of UNGA 81.
Follow-ups
Work it out with people who are also paying attention.
Daily posts and a community reading past the headlines together.
Join me on CEEK
Comments
Comments are public. Links are removed.