Republic Enthusiasm at New York Turkish Society!

The 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey was celebrated with a special reception held at the Turkish Embassy in New York. The program, hosted by New York Consul General Muhittin Ahmet Yazal and his wife Dr. K. Zeynep Yazal, took place on 30 October 2026 between 18:30 and 20:30.

At the event, which brought together Turkish citizens, diplomats and community representatives living in the United States, the pride and enthusiasm of Republic Day were shared. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 29 October Republic Day message was also presented to the guests.

Consul General Muhittin Ahmet Yazal: Stressed the Visibility of Turks in the United States

Speaking at the reception, Consul General Muhittin Ahmet Yazal shared striking facts about the size of the Turkish community in his jurisdiction. Yazal noted that consular records show about 140,000 Turkish citizens, but when accounting for those who communicate with them and have ties to the consulate, the figure could approach 250,000. He urged that Turks living in the United States should participate more in social events and raise their visibility.

Emphasis on Atatürk and the Republic

Highlighting the importance of upholding the values of the Republic, Yazal paid respectful tribute to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, those who contributed to the founding of the Republic, and the martyrs and veterans. Addressing the Turkish community, he called for living up to the Republic’s achievements and wished that the holiday would be celebrated each year with even greater participation and enthusiasm, thanking the guests.

UN Permanent Representative Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız: We Must Stand Up for Our Republic

In his speech, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız, first celebrated Republic Day and emphasized that the Republic must be preserved forever, noting that the Turkish nation has a responsibility to safeguard the Republic and the shared heritage entrusted to future generations. Yıldız said, 'Happy holiday to us, may our Republic remain ever pure. May it live forever. The duty that falls upon all of us is to safeguard our Republic and the trust of the Turkish nation. We have developed and strengthened our diplomacy. As a country, we have become one that ensures the peaceful resolution of international disputes and conflicts, and we occupy a role as a conciliator.'

Addressing Turkey's position in the diplomatic arena, Yıldız stated that the country's international relations network ranks third or fourth in the world. He emphasized that Turkey plays a mediator and conciliator role in resolving international disputes and conflicts through peaceful means.

Emphasis on a Turkish Candidate for the UN Secretariat

One of the highlights of Yıldız's speech was the candidacy of former Foreign Minister and Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioğlu, for the United Nations Secretariat.

Highlighting Turkey's contributions to the UN, humanitarian aid efforts, and diplomatic mediation work, Yıldız said that it would be a source of pride for a Turkish diplomat to assume the Secretary-General position. Yıldız expressed hope that Sinirlioğlu's candidacy would lead the accompanying process toward a positive outcome.

The reception at Turkey's embassy in New York was an event where the 103-year-old legacy of the Republic met with Turks living in the United States and where Turkey's international diplomatic goals were also discussed.