UN Secretary-General António Guterres receives Atatürk International Peace Award in Ankara

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres received the Atatürk International Peace Award at a ceremony held at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on March 12, thanking the people and Government of Türkiye for what he described as a profound honour.

Earlier in the day, the Secretary-General visited Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Türkiye, where he paid tribute to Atatürk’s legacy.

Accepting the award, Guterres said he was receiving it on behalf of United Nations staff around the world who work every day to advance peace, deliver humanitarian assistance in the most dangerous places and sustain fragile ceasefires.

“Peace is more than a noble vision,” the Secretary-General said. “Peace is a rallying cry. It is a call to action.”

He warned that the world is facing a period of deep geopolitical divisions, escalating conflicts and declining trust in international cooperation.

“Around the world, we hear much talk of peace – but we see far too little of it,” he said.

The Secretary-General expressed deep concern about the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East, warning that the region is being pushed to the breaking point. He said the massive military strikes launched by the United States and Israel, followed by attacks by Iran across the region, constitute a grave threat to international peace and security and have caused immense suffering for civilians.

He called on all parties to de-escalate, cease hostilities, uphold international law, protect civilians and return immediately to the negotiating table.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, presenting the award, said Guterres had demonstrated a strong and principled commitment to international peace and diplomacy.

He recalled that Guterres made his first bilateral visit to Türkiye after assuming the post in 2017 and said each of his subsequent visits has carried special significance.

Erdogan noted that the world has witnessed Guterres’ valuable contributions to projects aimed at protecting refugees, promoting global justice and shuttle diplomacy efforts in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war.

“I am very pleased to present the Ataturk International Peace Award to my dear friend, who has become the voice of the silent majority for the establishment of international peace and security, on the occasion of his sixth visit,” Erdogan said.

Recalling the guiding principles of Türkiye’s foreign policy, Erdoğan underlined the historic maxim of the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: “Yurtta barış, dünyada barış” — “Peace at home, peace in the world.”

In his remarks, Guterres also referred to Atatürk’s vision, saying that the principle of “peace at home, peace in the world” captures the spirit of the United Nations Charter.

During the ceremony, Guterres praised Türkiye’s contributions to international cooperation, particularly its longstanding support for refugees.

“At a time of unprecedented displacement, Türkiye opened its doors and its communities to millions forced to flee violence and persecution,” he said, noting that during his tenure as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees no other country received more people crossing borders in search of safety.

Earlier in the day, the Secretary-General met with President Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. They discussed developments in the Middle East, Syria and Ukraine, as well as cooperation between the UN and Türkiye.

They also exchanged views on Türkiye’s preparations to host the COP31 United Nations Climate Conference later this year, as well as the country’s global leadership on zero-waste initiatives.

The visit forms part of the Secretary-General’s annual Ramadan solidarity visit, a tradition he has maintained for two decades by visiting Muslim communities and sharing in the fast during the holy month.

Guterres said he chose Türkiye as his final Ramadan solidarity visit as Secretary-General in recognition of the country’s generosity in hosting the largest number of refugees during his tenure.

Later in the evening, the Secretary-General joined President Erdoğan in breaking the fast at an iftar held at the Presidential Complex. The gathering brought together government representatives, members of the diplomatic community, United Nations staff in country and refugee families. 

During the visit, the Secretary-General also met representatives of non-governmental organizations supporting refugees, visited the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Migration and held discussions with the United Nations country team.