Antonio Guterres’s Visit to Türkiye (2026)

Antonio Guterres’s Visit to Türkiye (2026) is the visit made by United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Türkiye on 12 March 2026, which included various diplomatic meetings and official engagements in Ankara. During the visit, Guterres held talks with Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and at a ceremony held at the Beştepe National Exhibition Hall, he was awarded the Atatürk International Peace Prize.

Purpose and Scope of the Visit

The visit by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Türkiye was conducted as part of annual solidarity visits carried out during the month of Ramadan.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Presidential Complex, 12 March 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, at the daily press briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York, stated that the Secretary-General undertakes visits each year during Ramadan. He emphasized that this is a long-standing tradition of Guterres aimed at demonstrating solidarity with Muslim communities and drawing attention to humanitarian issues.

Guterres made his statement regarding the visit via his social media account, noting that he undertakes solidarity visits each year during Ramadan.

In expressing his presence in Türkiye, Guterres stated: “I am in Türkiye this time to pay tribute to the generosity of the Turkish people, who host the largest number of refugees in the world during my tenure at the UN.”

The statement highlighted the generosity of the Turkish people in the context of Türkiye being the country hosting the largest number of refugees globally.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Ankara, 12 March 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

Diplomatic Meetings in Ankara

During the visit, Guterres met with Türkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan in Ankara. According to diplomatic sources, the meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. Although no detailed content of the meeting was released, it was confirmed that the meeting occurred in Ankara and that both parties met.

Meeting with President Erdoğan

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was received by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as part of the other segment of his visit to Türkiye.

President Erdoğan greeted Guterres at the entrance of the Presidential Complex. During the greeting, Erdoğan and Guterres shook hands and posed for photographs. Guterres also saluted the Presidential Guard Regiment with the words “Hello soldier.” Following the greeting, the two leaders proceeded to their meeting.

Also present at the meeting were Türkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and the President’s Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security, Akif Çağatay Kılıç.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Presidential Complex, 12 March 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

Presentation of the Atatürk International Peace Prize

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented the Atatürk International Peace Prize to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at a ceremony held at the Beştepe National Exhibition Hall.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Erdoğan said he was pleased to host Guterres, who has carried out his duties as UN Secretary-General since 2017 with impartiality and great statesmanship. He noted that each of Guterres’s visits to Türkiye carries distinct significance and that his first bilateral visit after assuming the role of Secretary-General in 2017 was to Türkiye.

Erdoğan stated that they have consistently witnessed Guterres’s invaluable contributions in areas such as the protection of refugees, the implementation of initiatives for global justice, and his active mediation efforts regarding the war in Ukraine. He added: “I am greatly honored to present this sixth visit’s occasion the Atatürk International Peace Prize to my esteemed friend, who serves as the voice of the silent majority for international peace and security.”

Erdoğan also noted that he finds it particularly meaningful that Guterres comes to Türkiye each year during Ramadan for solidarity visits with Muslim communities. He congratulated Guterres for his countless efforts in combating foreign hostility, cultural racism, and discrimination, which constitute the greatest threats to the goal of peaceful coexistence.

Wishing that Ramadan brings blessings to all nations and humanity and fully opens the doors to peace, tranquility, and stability worldwide, Erdoğan said: “We continue to uphold as the focal point of our foreign policy the principle of ‘Peace at Home, Peace in the World,’ inherited from our Republic’s founder, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and interpreted proactively, boldly, and innovatively. We are among the strongest supporters of the founding values of the United Nations, which represent the common conscience of humanity, the will for global solidarity, and hope for the future, for the past 80 years. Wherever there is a fire—in our region and beyond—we rush to extinguish it with water. Wherever there is pain, drama, tragedy, or tears, we strive with all our strength to soothe it. Of course, I must especially acknowledge the invaluable role of my esteemed friend Guterres here.” “Mr. Guterres, even before assuming this important role as UN Secretary-General after nine years of service, you were a politician who consistently prioritized peace, dialogue, and prosperity.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Beştepe National Exhibition Hall, 12 March 2026 – (Anadolu Agency)

Erdoğan highlighted that as Prime Minister of Portugal, Guterres made unique contributions to improving prosperity and consolidating democracy in his country, earning public admiration through his constructive and conciliatory political style. He further noted that during his decade-long tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Guterres demonstrated exceptional dedication to ensuring that displaced persons were treated with dignity and protected. “I believe that Guterres’s conscientious and resolute leadership during this period was instrumental in his rise to the position of UN Secretary-General.” Erdoğan emphasized that during Guterres’s term as Secretary-General, Türkiye’s contributions under the UN umbrella have been strengthened and deepened in all areas.

Erdoğan said: “Over the past ten years, we have maintained close dialogue with Guterres on issues threatening peace in our region and globally, and we have been pleased to see that these consultations and efforts have yielded results even under the most challenging conditions.” He recalled how their joint efforts through the Black Sea Grain Initiative successfully averted a global food crisis and affirmed that Türkiye continues to maintain close cooperation with the United Nations in efforts to rebuild peace in Ukraine and end the war.

Erdoğan emphasized that “diplomacy and dialogue remain the safest path to a just and lasting peace.” He stressed that in these difficult times, when our region risks becoming an encircling fire, he finds the Secretary-General’s calls for diplomacy and dialogue especially valuable. He added that Türkiye is conducting intensive diplomatic efforts to prevent the spiral of violence centered on Iran from escalating further. “Despite those who seek to crush our hopes and make us abandon our struggle, we will continue our work with patience and determination.”

“The stance taken by UN Secretary-General Guterres in Gaza, where one of the greatest atrocities of our age is unfolding, will always be remembered with praise,” Erdoğan underscored, noting that Guterres has strongly demonstrated the principled conduct expected of him in the face of such brutality, and has never wavered in his determination to work toward a two-state solution based on UN parameters. He emphasized that the protection of refugees, a cause close to Guterres’s heart, is another area where they have worked closely together, and that this will never be forgotten.

Erdoğan expressed gratitude to the entire United Nations Organization, through the person of its Secretary-General, for extending a helping hand and supporting the healing of wounds during the difficult days following the catastrophe. “I have personally witnessed the great dedication with which UN Secretary-General Guterres works toward leaving a livable world for future generations, and I wish to emphasize the importance of the initiatives he has launched in the fight against climate change.”

Erdoğan stated that Türkiye is preparing to host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in November 2026 as part of its goal to contribute to these efforts. He added: “Once again, I thank Mr. Guterres, who played a pivotal role in transforming our Zero Waste Project, initiated in 2017 under the leadership of my wife Emine Erdoğan, into a global initiative, who has consistently supported it within the UN process, and who was among the first signatories of the Global Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration.”

Erdoğan said that Türkiye is ready to implement the United Nations House Project, which aims to bring together all UN offices under one roof in Istanbul, in line with the vision of making Istanbul a UN hub. He noted: “I believe this project will make a significant national contribution to the UN’s 80th anniversary initiative. Every event and crisis we experience confirms the validity of our observation, first expressed 13 years ago, that ‘The world is bigger than five.’ As a leader who believes that without justice there can be no development, peace, or stability in the world, we will continue to support all initiatives aimed at transforming the United Nations into a more inclusive structure.” “Despite smear campaigns against your person and the organization you lead, I firmly believe that your principled and dedicated efforts to overcome humanitarian crises, beginning with Gaza, and to establish international peace are in perfect harmony with the spirit, meaning, and objectives of this exceptional award we are bestowing upon you. I salute the UN personnel who serve selflessly under difficult conditions around the world for peace, and I honor with respect those UN staff who have lost their lives. I pray that the Atatürk International Peace Prize we are conferring upon you may serve as a blessing for the United Nations and all of humanity. With these thoughts, I again thank you for your visit to our country and wish you continued success in your endeavors.”

President Erdoğan then presented the Atatürk International Peace Prize to UN Secretary-General Guterres.

Iftar Program

Following the award ceremony, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended an iftar program.