Children pay heaviest price in wars, Erdoğan says on April 23

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated on Thursday that despite all efforts, wars and oppression continue in the region, with innocent children often paying the highest price. Speaking at TRT’s 48th International April 23 Children’s Festival Gala Program in Ankara, Erdoğan emphasized that “living in a country and world free of war, conflict, violence, deprivation, and poverty is the most natural right of children.”

Türkiye’s mission for peace

Erdoğan said Türkiye is striving to stop conflicts and wipe away children’s tears, with the sole aim of ensuring all children live in peace, security, and brotherhood. “I wish a life full of peace and happiness for children in our country, across our heartland, and throughout the world,” he said. He extended special greetings to Palestinian and Lebanese children “who are forced to bear the burden of war and conflict on their small shoulders.”

A world without bombs

The president emphasized that all children should enjoy going to school, receive the best education, fall asleep without fear, and wake up to birds chirping rather than bombs. He noted that just as Türkiye seeks the best for its own children, it sincerely wishes the same for all children from Asia to Africa. “The language of love and friendship is the same,” he said, urging young people to uphold brotherhood, keep friendship alive, and believe in peace.