Türkiye's parliament speaker warns global institutions are 'dysfunctional'

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus has declared that major global institutions are becoming "increasingly dysfunctional" as the world navigates a period of profound uncertainty and shifting power balances. He delivered this assessment on Tuesday during an address to the diplomatic corps in the capital, Ankara.

A new era of multipolarity and challenge

Kurtulmus described the current juncture as the "threshold of a new era," shaped by the simultaneous rise of multipolarity, globalization, and regionalization. He identified rapid advances in high technology, climate change, and issues of food and energy security as forces creating both significant tensions and new opportunities. For Türkiye, which aspires to be a regional power and global actor, he stated the nation must proactively shape its policies to meet the demands of this transformative period.

Principles of Turkish foreign policy: independence and conscience

The speaker outlined the core tenets guiding Ankara's approach on the world stage. He characterized Turkish foreign policy as "principled, determined and rejects indifference," aimed at fostering global peace and stability. This independence is encapsulated by what he termed the "Türkiye axis," a multidimensional stance that avoids exclusive alignment with either Eastern or Western blocs. "Conscience is also a central compass of Turkish diplomacy," Kurtulmus argued, stating policy cannot be based solely on cold calculation. He highlighted Türkiye's leading advocacy for Gaza and support for African nations as embodiments of this principle.

Diplomatic tools and regional engagement

Kurtulmus pointed to Türkiye's engagement in regions like Ukraine, the Caucasus, and Gaza, where it promotes principled negotiations and humanitarian diplomacy. He credited President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leader-level diplomacy as a key strength. Furthermore, the speaker emphasized the growing importance of cultural and parliamentary diplomacy as tools to strengthen ties, explain Türkiye's positions, and build lasting international partnerships, all while adapting with the "spirit of the times."