Mr. President,

Protection of civilians in armed conflict is a shared responsibility and must remain a top priority for the international community.

While the legal framework is largely in place, implementation remains far from satisfactory. Selective approaches to international law undermine the credibility of the international legal system and erode confidence in multilateral institutions.

Accountability is essential not only for justice and building this confidence, but also for preventing the recurrence of such crimes. Türkiye strongly supports international efforts aimed at ensuring accountability and deterring violations of international humanitarian law.

Ensuring safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access, as well as safeguarding humanitarian and medical personnel, also remain fundamental obligations under international humanitarian law. To this end, Türkiye endorsed the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personel, initiated by Australia.

Mr. President,

Between 1963 and 1974, Turkish Cypriots experienced a period marked by political exclusion, violence, displacement, and isolation. Atrocities committed against Turkish Cypriot civilians are well documented in UN archives. There are also a considerable number of missing Turkish Cypriots from this period. These experiences serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of failing to protect civilians.

Today, the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza must remain at the forefront of international attention. While the ceasefire agreement brought relative calm, humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire. We support the Board of Peace and its relevant mechanisms as this process should pave the way for the implementation of the two-State solution. We remain committed to supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts in a manner that restores basic living conditions and upholds human dignity.

We welcome the continuation of the ceasefire in the Gulf and hope it will lead to lasting peace. Risks to maritime navigation, energy security, and the global economy underscore the urgent need for de-escalation and diplomacy. The resumption of hostilities would only exacerbate the humanitarian situation in the region and beyond.

We also underscore the importance of preserving Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability. The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is an important step that should be built upon to ensure de-escalation and facilitate the return of over one million displaced civilians.

Mr. President,

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Türkiye has pursued a principled humanitarian approach, including facilitating dialogue and prisoner exchanges, while supporting efforts toward a just and lasting peace.

The protection of civilians and the restoration of peace and stability in Syria have always been among our priorities. Syrian people now have a historic opportunity to build a future based on safety, dignity, and equal citizenship. We welcome steps toward justice and accountability, including judicial efforts addressing crimes committed under the former regime. Türkiye will continue supporting Syria’s recovery.

In Sudan, the humanitarian crisis remains catastrophic and requires urgent international attention.

In Libya, we continue to support a peaceful and durable solution through Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political dialogue.

Thank you.