President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at the Unofficial Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (TDT) held with the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development” in Turkestan, Kazakhstan:

The crises experienced in our immediate surroundings have once again demonstrated the strategic value of the Turkish world acting in solidarity. We must further strengthen our consultation mechanisms and coordination in the face of geopolitical challenges. We see benefit in implementing the TDT Plus format as soon as possible. The increasing contacts of us and our ministers confirm that the Turkish states have now gained high-level reflexes on common issues. As today’s crisis centered on the Strait of Hormuz shows, transportation projects connecting the Turkish world, especially the Central Corridor, will continue to be our priority for many years to come.

THE REPRESENTATION OF TRNC IS SATISFIING

One of the things that makes the summit meaningful for us is the representation of the Turkish Cypriot people, an integral part of the Turkish world. I am pleased to see the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Tufan Erhürman at the Turkestan summit. I hope that the Turkish world will continue to strengthen its political, economic and cultural relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

VISIT TO HOCA AHMET YESEVI TOMB

President Erdoğan participated in a cultural tour in Turkestan before the summit. Erdoğan visited the museum and Hoca Ahmet Yesevi Tomb and prayed there with other leaders.

CYBER SECURITY IS A NECESSITY

In order to have more say and influence in the world of the future, we have to maximize cooperation, especially in technology. In this respect, I find it very appropriate that our summit is held with the theme of ‘Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development’. In terms of shaping the future, it is of great importance that we adopt the vision of the Turkish world developing through digitalization. After 115 years, it is time for us to add the phrase ‘Unity in digital vision’ to Gaspirali’s motto ‘Unity in language, idea and work’. We are aware that falling behind in the digital transformation process will also threaten our independence. In order for artificial intelligence not to turn into a tool of domination, we must approach this theme from the perspective of opportunity with the right approach. Cyber ​​security is vital and essential, just like security on land, air and sea. During our next term presidency, we aim to further advance coordination and cooperation in cyber security within the Organization of Turkish States.

Türkiye INVITATION TO MİRZİYOYEV

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Uzbekistan President Shavket Mirziyoyev. During the meeting, Erdoğan stated that they will continue to work to develop cooperation between Türkiye and Uzbekistan in all fields, especially in the defense industry and trade. Erdoğan invited Mirziyoyev to the Organization of Turkic States Summit and COP31 to be held in Türkiye.

PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN WILL MEET 100 THOUSAND YOUTH TONIGHT

“A Youth Festival”, organized by AK Party Youth Branches, will be held this evening with the participation of 100 thousand young people. AK Party Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is also expected to attend the big youth festival to be held at Turka Kocaeli Stadium. AK Party Youth Branch Chairman Yusuf İbiş shared the message, “Young people, are we ready? This festival is not to be missed.” Muhammed UZUN/SABAH

GIANT CHOREOGRAPHY FOR TURKISH LANGUAGE FESTIVAL

“Our Walking Dictionary, Idioms and Proverbs” program was organized in Karaman within the scope of the 749th Turkish Language Festival and Yunus Emre Commemoration Events. Students gathered in front of Kemal Kaynaş Stadium and walked to Aktekke 15 July Democracy Square. Students participating in the march performed Türkiye map choreography here. AA

OUR CANDIDATE FOR UN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION MEHDI EKER

We are in a technological transformation in agricultural production. We have announced our candidacy for the Director General election of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to be held in July 2027. I believe that you will see Dr. as the common candidate of all Turkish states for this important task. We are waiting for your valuable support to Mehdi Eker.

WE ARE READY TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCE IN DEFENSE

Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Ukraine and many other crises point to the need to strengthen our defense and increase our industrial cooperation. As Türkiye, we are ready to share the experience we have gained in the defense industry, which we have shaped with high technology, with the members of our organization. We attach importance to defense industry institutions holding meetings within our organization.

MAY HIS LEGACY FULL OF WISDOM LIVE FOR GENERATIONS

President Erdoğan’s wife, Emine Erdoğan, used the following statements in her social media post regarding her visit to the Tomb of Hodja Ahmet Yesevi: “I commemorate Hodja Ahmet Yesevi, who has been a light to hearts for centuries, with mercy and respect; I hope that his legacy full of wisdom will continue to live on for generations.”

THE “TRANSPARENT MANAGEMENT” DISCOURSE HAS COLLAPSED!

One of the most striking investigation files was the claim that the data collected by the municipality was not shared with the public. According to the file, it was claimed that some data collected by Ankara Metropolitan Municipality since 2019 were not published in accordance with the principles of “transparency”, “accountability” and “open management”.

However, in his previous statements, Mansur Yavaş said; “There is now a transparent administration in Ankara. We share all the expenses we make with our citizens,” he said. However, in the investigation file, it was stated that the data collected by the municipality on behalf of the public was not published in an open and accessible manner, and therefore an investigation was initiated within the scope of accusations of “abuse of office” and “public official not reporting the crime”. It was noted that an investigation permit was requested on February 6, 2025, the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office sent a letter to the Ministry of Internal Affairs on September 10, 2025, and the Ministry stated in its response dated September 17, 2025 that the preliminary examination process was continuing.

YAVAŞ’S “NO INVESTIGATION” DEFENSE WAS A SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION

The resulting files brought Mansur Yavaş’s frequent public statements, “There is not even a single investigation against me,” back to the agenda.

It is noteworthy that ABB management, which has been at the center of criticism recently due to water outages, transportation problems, price increases and service disruptions in the capital, is now on the agenda with successive investigation files.

The audit reports, tender discussions and investigation processes that emerged in Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, which the opposition has cited as an example of “transparent municipality” for years, have further increased criticism against the municipal administration.

The Istanbul Natural Resources Summit, which had a great impact on an international scale last year with the participation of 10 ministers from 9 countries, will be an important platform where critical messages will be given in terms of energy security, investment and global cooperation this year.

ON MAY 22

The Second Istanbul Natural Resources Summit (İNRES 2026) will be held on May 22 at Lütfi Kırdar Congress Center. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to open the summit. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar will also address the participants at the opening ceremony.

HIGH-LEVEL PARTICIPATION FROM MANY COUNTRIES

The summit will be hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources; It will bring together decision makers, investors, public representatives and international organizations in the field of energy and natural resources in Istanbul. Ministers and deputy ministers from many countries from Europe, Asia and Africa are expected to attend.

MAIN AGENDA ENERGY SECURITY

Energy security will be the main agenda item at the Ministerial Session, which will be attended by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar. In addition to global developments such as the Hormuz crisis, the latest situation in the field of oil, natural gas, mining and critical minerals will be evaluated. Ministers attending the summit will share their predictions regarding global energy markets.

THE ROLE OF STATES IN ENERGY POLICIES WILL BE DISCUSSED

In the session attended by guest deputy ministers, the roles that states should undertake in energy and investment policies will be discussed. Participants will discuss the importance of public policies in the energy transformation process and opportunities for cooperation between countries.

FINANCE AND INVESTMENT WILL BE ON THE TABLE

In the session where managers of public companies, CEOs of international energy companies and representatives of financial institutions will come together, investment opportunities, financing models and global economic developments in the energy and mining sector will be evaluated.

BILATERAL MEETINGS

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Bayraktar will also hold bilateral meetings with the guest ministers participating in INRES 2026. In these meetings, current and potential cooperation issues between countries are planned to be on the table. It is expected that some agreements will be signed within the summit margin.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, in his post on his NSosyal account, said, “We support our producers and work with all our strength to increase production. We are transferring the agricultural support payment of 3 billion 755 million liras to the accounts of our farmers. May it be beneficial and fruitful.” he said.

According to the visual in the post, cattle breeding support (calf) is 2 billion 895 million 868 thousand 200 liras, solid organic organomineral fertilizer support is 330 million 131 thousand 500 liras, small-scale fishing support is 144 million 790 thousand 400 liras, planned production support is 130 million 977 thousand 800 liras, cattle husbandry support is (malak) 121 million 444 thousand 120 liras, plant production basic support 82 million 948 thousand 15 liras, rural development investment support 49 million 619 thousand 965 liras, a total of 3 billion 755 million 780 thousand liras will be paid. Payments for producers whose calf support payment ID number and tax ID number have the last digit of 0-2, and other support payments will be transferred to their accounts in one go after 18.00 today.

Regarding the Terror-Free Turkey process, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, said, “With the war launched by America and Israel against Iran, and especially after the scenario of trying to revolt the people by arming them through the terrorist organization called ‘PJAK’ in Iran ended in fiasco, the terrorist organization has no choice but to lay down its arms.” Kurtulmuş emphasized that politics did its part in this process.

“WE ARE STILL AT THE START OF WORK”

TBMM Speaker Kurtulmuş stated that Turkey, after leaving the first century of the Republic behind, has entered a period that can be looked upon with self-confidence in the second century, and said, “We are just at the beginning. Everything is over, everything has been accomplished, and we have not been able to establish a truly powerful and powerful world state, but our Republic of Turkey is now on the verge of becoming a regional power and a global actor, and this is how Türkiye is defined all over the world.” he said.

Stating that there should be complete unity, peace and brotherhood in the country, Kurtulmuş made the following statements:

“Different segments of the society within the country will not marginalize each other or look at each other differently based on their religious thoughts, sectarian tendencies, ethnic differences or different social affiliations. We will all unite around the idea of ‘the public world is one with us’ and come together with a common ideal and a common goal. This means that our country will become a truly strong global country, and we will create a strong, great Türkiye in its second century, just as our Republic was born from the ashes, over the Ottoman Empire.” “It is the ideal of giving birth. Thank God, we are making great progress at this point, but we have more work to do, so we will perfect our unity and solidarity within.”

TERRORIST-FREE Türkiye PROCESS

Emphasizing that a century of Türkiye has been cast like a dark cloud by sibling quarrels, armed conflicts, terrorism, and the work of terrorist organizations, which are proxies of some foreigners, Kurtulmuş said:

“They put shackles on their feet to prevent this country from developing. Now, at the very beginning of our second century, with our goal of ‘terror-free Turkey’, we are first getting rid of these shackles and fighting hard to turn our eternal brotherhood into an eternal brotherhood, which exists with the permission of God. In this country, we turn Turks into Kurds, Arabs into Persians, Sunnis into Shiites and Alevis in this country, Georgians into Laz into another ethnic origin in this country. “No one has the power to make enemies. It will not be enough from now on. Terror-free Turkey does not only mean that those who have weapons give up their weapons, but also the hostility that is tried to be instilled in people’s hearts and minds will be eliminated. We will ensure this.”

Kurtulmuş stated that Turkey has initiated a process that sets an example in conflict resolution all over the world, and gave information about the work of the National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy Commission, which was launched in the Turkish Grand National Assembly on August 5.

Stating that a road map was adopted with the commission’s report and that what could be done to end terrorism was recommended with this road map, Kurtulmuş continued his words as follows:

“Politically, we have fulfilled our part. We will do so from now on. If the terrorist organization had fully fulfilled its responsibilities as expected so far and had completely laid down the weapons in its hands, this issue would have been left behind and resolved by now. However, the Turkish Grand National Assembly calls on those who have weapons to ‘lay down your weapons’ and sees it as an important duty for politics to work actively under the umbrella of the Turkish Grand National Assembly in order to open the doors of a new era in Türkiye.”

Stating that no one needs to give any homework to politics, Kurtulmuş said:

“A report issued unanimously by all parties in the parliament shows that politics has internalized its own issue and knows very well what steps to take in this regard. We hope and pray that the organization that has tried to do something in Türkiye with weapons will completely abandon its weapons and the armed period will be left behind completely and the democratic processes in Türkiye will be strengthened. In this context, the integration of the groups in Syria with the new Syrian administration and the positive course of this integration as we expected is a factor that makes our work easier.” is another factor.

Minister Göktaş visited the Governorship in Kırklareli, where he came to hold contacts. Göktaş, who signed the governor’s memoirs, received a briefing from Governor Uğur Turan.

Afterwards, Minister Göktaş visited the tradesmen in the Freedom and Democracy Square and chatted with the citizens. An old woman who took a souvenir photo with Göktaş during the shop visit could not hold back her tears. Göktaş also visited the AK Party Provincial Presidency and met with party members. Later, Minister Göktaş attended the opening of Şevket Dingiloğlu Barrier-Free Life Park and wished the park to be beneficial for disabled citizens and their families. Stating that the basis of a country’s social architecture is people, Göktaş stated that family, social justice, accessibility and solidarity are the supporting pillars of this architecture. Stating that everyone has closely seen the work and service policy put forward by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Göktaş said, “We do not see the Turkish Century only as the century of new investments, large projects and technological moves. We are building the Turkish Century as a period in which we refortify the social architecture of our country in a stronger, more encompassing and more fair way.” he said.

Göktaş emphasized that they act with a strong public understanding that touches the lives of citizens, sees the need on the spot and brings the solution directly to people’s living spaces. Stating that they shape every policy they carry out with the understanding of rights-based social service, Göktaş continued as follows: “Today, we have made public services, cities and social supports more comprehensive for our disabled citizens. We have ensured that our disabled citizens are supported in the family environment with the help of home care. Last year, we transferred 219.5 million liras of resources to Kırklareli alone for home care aid. This month, with the help of home care, we provided 13 thousand 878 per person to 1602 families in Kırklareli.” “Today, we provide services to approximately 3 thousand disabled citizens in 147 day centers in 81 provinces. In Kırklareli, we carry out activities that strengthen the social ties of 60 of our citizens in 3 day centers, including the public and private sectors. We strive to support our disabled individuals in every aspect of their lives, from education to employment, from accessibility to family support.”