Diplomatic activity intensifies at UN General Assembly in New York

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in New York on September 21, 2026, to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly. During his four-day visit, Erdogan is scheduled to address the assembly on September 22 for the 16th time and hold bilateral meetings, including a discussion with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding conflicts in Gaza, Syria, Ukraine, and other international trade and energy issues. His initial diplomatic engagements include talks with the President of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Menfi, to review bilateral agreements in the Eastern Mediterranean, and a meeting with the Crown Prince of Kuwait regarding defense cooperation.

Simultaneously, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman is set to travel to New York on September 23. He will meet with Maria Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Cyprus, on September 24, followed by a private meeting with Antonio Guterres on September 26. Erhurman, who expects to discuss Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) such as demining and migration management, indicated that he seeks a 5+1 meeting format with guaranteed outcomes rather than a repetitive process. He is expected to return to the island on September 27.