Mr. President, Excellencies,

It is a pleasure to join you at the inauguration of the new Turkish House and to recognize the continued excellent cooperation between Turkey and the United Nations.

Turkey is engaged across the spectrum of our work, as we deal with challenges from the climate crisis to longstanding threats to peace and security.

I am personally familiar with enormous generosity of Turkey and Turkish host communities towards refugees. I offer my sincere appreciation for your support to people in need of protection.

The number of people fleeing wars, violence, persecution, and human rights violations is at record levels. I count on Turkey to continue doing its utmost, with the support of the international community. This is an act of solidarity that concerns us all.

Peacemaking is another critical dimension of our work. I welcome Turkey’s consistent support to our mediation efforts, including by co-chairing the Group of Friends of Mediation – one of our most important tools to reduce, manage and end conflict.

I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Volkan Bozkir, as President of the of the 75th session of General Assembly. We have been fortunate to rely on him through a difficult year. 

I look forward to our continuing close cooperation with the government and people of Turkey, and wish you many years of productive work in the new Turkish House.

Thank you.