President Erdogan arrives in New York for UN General Assembly
15:23, 20/09/2026, SundayU: Update: 23:42, 20/09/2026, Sunday
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan are seen before departing from Ataturk Airport to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 20, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkiye.President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in New York on Sunday to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where he is scheduled to deliver his annual address on Tuesday focusing on Israel's actions in Gaza and the recognition of Palestinian statehood.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in New York on Sunday to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where he is scheduled to address world leaders on the opening day of the high-level week.Erdogan was welcomed at John F. Kennedy International Airport by Türkiye’s Ambassador to the UN Ahmet Yildiz, Ambassador to Washington Sedat Onal, and Consul General Muhittin Ahmet Yazal. He traveled with first lady Emine Erdogan and senior officials including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Justice Minister Akin Gurlek, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, and Communications Director Burhanettin Duran.
Gaza and Palestine on agenda
The Turkish president is expected to deliver his annual UN address on Tuesday, marking his 16th appearance before the General Assembly. The speech will likely focus on Israel's actions in Gaza, the need to recognize Palestine as a state, and potential international measures against Israel.
Climate summit and bilateral meetings
Erdogan is also scheduled to participate in the UN secretary-general's Climate Summit on Wednesday. During the week, he will hold meetings with numerous heads of state and government, while Türkiye prepares to host the UN’s annual Climate Change Summit, known as COP31, in Antalya in November.