Turkey hosts 9th Istanbul Mediation Conference amid regional tensions

On October 23, 2026, the 9th Istanbul Mediation Conference was held under the host leadership of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The summit, initiated by Ankara, brought together foreign ministers from Germany, Britain, France, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia to discuss pressing global and regional conflicts, including the wars in Ukraine and Palestine, as well as instability in Yemen and the Strait of Hormuz.

In a video message addressed to the participants, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated Turkey's commitment to diplomacy, asserting that Ankara maintains open channels of communication even during intense conflicts. However, he also used the platform to criticize the United Nations, specifically targeting the decision-making structure and the perceived dominance of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Erdoğan argued that current international institutions are facing a crisis of confidence.

The conference underscores Turkey's active role as a mediator in international affairs. By gathering diverse international actors, Ankara aims to address the challenges of increasing global instability and continue its diplomatic initiatives, even as the Turkish leadership calls for systemic reforms within global governance bodies.