UN Secretary-General Arrives in Türkiye for Ramadan Solidarity Visit and to Receive Atatürk International Peace Award

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Türkiye today for his annual Ramadan solidarity visit, during which he will receive the Atatürk International Peace Award and hold meetings on humanitarian issues, regional developments and the UN’s partnership with Türkiye.

During his visit to the capital, Ankara, the Secretary-General will receive the Atatürk International Peace Award, which he will accept on behalf of United Nations personnel around the world. The recognition comes at a time of immense global challenges and widespread suffering.

The Secretary-General is also scheduled to hold discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The meetings are expected to focus on cooperation between the United Nations and Türkiye, as well as developments in the wider region, including the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Guterres’ trip also marks his annual Ramadan solidarity visit, a tradition he has observed for many years to express solidarity with Muslim communities and highlight humanitarian concerns.

The Secretary-General was received upon arrival by Turkish government officials and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Türkiye, Babatunde Ahonsi.

As part of this visit, the Secretary-General will meet with representatives of non-governmental organizations working to support refugees and will visit the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.  

The Secretary-General's visit aims to highlight what the United Nations describes as the extraordinary generosity of the Turkish people in hosting refugees. Over many years, first as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and later as Secretary-General, Guterres has witnessed Türkiye open its doors and communities to millions of people forced to flee violence and persecution.

Türkiye hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, with nearly 2.5 million refugees and asylum seekers, including more than 2.3 million Syrians.

In his engagements with civil society organizations, the Secretary-General is expected to emphasize the important and complementary role these groups play in supporting refugee protection and service delivery, while encouraging stronger cooperation between civil society and government institutions to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need.

The Secretary-General will also attend a Ramadan iftar dinner during his visit.