Erdoğan Arrives in US for 81st UN General Assembly

Erdoğan was welcomed at John F. Kennedy International Airport by Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız; Turkey’s Ambassador to Washington, Sedat Önal; New York Consul General Ambassador Muhittin Ahmet Yazal; and other officials.

Erdoğan’s wife, Emine Erdoğan, also arrived in the US, along with Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director İbrahim Kalın, Presidential Communications Director Prof. Dr. Burhanettin Duran, Presidential Chief Foreign Policy and Security Adviser Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and Binali Yıldırım, Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States.

Erdoğan is expected to deliver his address fourth on September 22, the opening day of the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly, when world leaders will address the assembly.

The address will be Erdoğan’s 16th before the UN General Assembly. Its main focus is expected to be Israel’s actions in Gaza, the recognition of Palestine as a state, and possible international steps against Israel.

Erdoğan is expected to draw particular attention to the situation in Gaza and call on UN member states to oppose Israel’s attacks.

During the summit, Erdoğan is also scheduled to hold meetings with heads of state and government. On September 23, he is expected to address the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action event.