Turkish diaspora key to global influence, envoy says

Turkish Ambassador to Washington Sedat Onal on Sunday credited the Turkish diaspora with elevating Türkiye to the status of a global actor whose voice is heard and contributions sought on the international stage, addressing thousands at the 43rd Turkish Day Parade in New York City — an event he described as a "traditional and symbolic festival" preserving Turkish identity while introducing it to American society. His wife Figen Onal joined him at the celebration alongside senior Turkish diplomats posted to the United States.

Diplomatic delegation honors community

Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ahmet Yildiz and his wife Emine Yildiz attended the proceedings, as did Consul General in New York Muhittin Ahmet Yazal. Onal extended his gratitude to the Federation of Turkish American Associations and various delegations from Türkiye for sustaining the decades-long tradition. The parade has served as a vital platform for showcasing Turkish heritage to American society while maintaining strong cultural ties to the homeland.

Community expansion and institutional goals

Addressing members of the Turkish community gathered at the festival grounds, Onal said the embassy is "extremely pleased" to see the community expanding in numbers and expressed pride in its achievements. "We are proud to be representatives here of Türkiye, whose influence in the world is steadily increasing," he stated, adding that strengthening communication and solidarity within the Turkish American community remains a primary priority for the embassy and consulates across the US.

Outreach and upcoming events

Onal called upon Turkish Americans to maintain regular contact with diplomatic missions through social media platforms and official websites, noting that community leaders are expected to contribute actively to these outreach efforts. He also invited attendees to support the Turkish national football team, which will travel to the United States next month to participate in FIFA World Cup events. The ambassador emphasized that sustained engagement between the diaspora and diplomatic representatives would further enhance Türkiye's standing in Washington.