“Diplomacy is above all the will to stop the fire before it spreads further, the ability to patiently restore broken ties, and all this for the sake of a common future. In other words, diplomacy is the design of tomorrow“. This was said by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during the opening of the fifth edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026.
The architecture that will be chosen needs to be based on two pillars, according to him.
The first – this is institutional reform at the global level. It is very important that the system of international governance be urgently reformed – more transparency and accountability.“It is obvious that we cannot manage crises with the help of structures devoid of representation“ Fidan acknowledged.
He drew attention to the fact that artificial intelligence should not become a new tool for hegemony, creating inequality in certain people. The world should collectively use these technological advantages.
Climate change and drought have become existential problems, affecting all aspects of human life. The fact is that if the world fails to find a common ground for the division of responsibilities and mutual benefits today, in 10 years the conflicts will be more uncontrollable and destructive.
The second pillar, which is no less important, is the strategic steps that will make stable peace in the region possible.„Today we are faced with a multifaceted dynamic of the crisis. Our region is under pressure from various challenges. The Russian-Ukrainian war, which has been going on for five years, in the southeast - Israel's reckless aggression has long gone beyond the borders of the Gaza Strip. This escalation has spread to Syria, Lebanon and recently to Iran. Further south, in the African region, the events that we are closely following are causing additional concern," Fidan admitted.
“Our region can no longer tolerate wars, terrorism and civil wars. We must achieve regional peace“, he said categorically.
Fidan recalled the words of Turkish President Recep Erdogan from last year, namely that the greatest threat to the international system is a dark future dominated by lawlessness, insecurity and arbitrariness, and that there is a greater need than ever for common sense, justice and effective diplomacy. “Unfortunately, this latest crisis in our region has painfully confirmed the accuracy and validity of your assessments“, Fidan admitted.