Why we should promote humanitarian diplomacy

By HE Sedef Yavuzalp

On Thursday, October 29, the Turkish Embassy in Uganda hosted the guests at Sheraton Kampala Hotel to commemorate the 92nd Independence Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. Below is the speech of Sedef Yavuzalp, the Ambassador of Turkey to Uganda.

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Uganda’s Vice-President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, (left)  cuts cake with Ambassador Sedef Yavuzalp to celebrate Turkey’s 92nd Republic Day Anniversary .

It is an honour to be receiving this evening the ABETO Diplomatic Peace Award of 2015. We would like to thank the Chairman, Moses Musana and the eminent persons of ABETO.

The successful foreign policy vision of my government and my peace-loving people have enabled me to receive this award.

I am very proud to be serving in Uganda and it is meaningful to be receiving this award in your country, which is an inspiration for peace in the region. Turkey commends Uganda for its efforts in becoming an island of stability.

In today’s world, the challenges against peace are diverse. More valuable than a diamond, peace has become far more difficult to preserve. We see that mankind does not take lessons from history and that even today we witness violation of human rights. One of the tools to face these challenges is humanitarian diplomacy.

Since this is an award in peace and diplomacy, permit me to say a few humble words on Turkey’s contribution to this subject matter.

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Uganda’s Vice-President, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, (left)  hands over peace award to Ambassador Sedef Yavuzalp. Looking on centre is Moses Musana, the ABETO chairman. Photo by Wilfred Sanya

Let me emphasise the importance of the principles on which the Turkish Republic was established. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of our Republic, one of the most important leaders in the world, is renowned among others for his statesmanship, outstanding success in the field of governance and his peaceful and democratic vision.

He determined the main principle of Turkish Foreign Policy in the motto “Peace at Home, Peace in the World”, which is also a gift to the world in terms of peace.

In fact, this principle is a reflection and accumulation of the tradition of Turkish states dating back to around 200 BC. Even in those times, while most of the continents were suffering from barbaric raids, the Turkish people founded their states on the basis of justice for the maintenance of peace. And more interestingly, the meaning of the word “state” in the old Turkish language means “peace”.

As you may well know, the first “written rules of law” were coded and the first “state of law” in the world was established by the Sumerians, or Kenger, a Turkish tribe from Central Asia, which is the most ancient civilisation on earth dating back to 6500 BC. “Civilisation” was gifted to the whole of humanity by the legendary Sumerians. All other great civilisations have learned from them.

Turkey’s peaceful traditions have been enriched by the beauty of other numerous civilisations such as the Hittites in Anatolian history. The Kadesh peace treaty of 1279 BC, is the earliest known peace treaty in world history, a replica of this peace treaty presented by the Turkish government decorates the UN Headquarters. This enormous wealth of Turkish history of 8.500 years, interaction and understanding of cultures have enabled the Republic of Turkey to reach her current position in the world today.

In recent times, our country has successfully played a role in mediation through trilateral mechanisms in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Balkans and Africa.

Turkey contributes to the development of Africa without any ulterior motives, through a benevolent, generous humanitarian diplomacy. For example, in Somalia, Turkey employs multidimensional assistance in the fields of economic reconstruction, political support, rebuilding of the security forces, humanitarian assistance, all in parallel.

Turkey together with Spain launched the Alliance of civilisations with the objective of countering the atmosphere of mutual distrust, fear and polarisation between the Islamic World and the West. Also within this context, Turkey is one of the co-chairs of the Group of Friends at the UN.

Last but not least, humanitarian diplomacy is vital in confronting today’s global challenges transcending all borders. By becoming a home to over two million fleeing from the turmoil of war, without any ethnic, sectarian or religious discrimination, Turkey has been declared by the UN as the country accommodating the most refugees/asylum seekers in the world. Thus, Turkey’s lesson to the world on humane diplomacy is exemplary.

It is, therefore, no coincidence that Turkey has been announced by the UN as the world’s most generous donor and will host the “First World Humanitarian Summit” in 2016, which will be the first of its kind.

In short, Turkey’s efforts towards peace through her humanitarian diplomacy remain solely the trademark of Turkish foreign policy. This award will certainly encourage me to work even harder to contribute to the peace and development in Uganda.

I would like to express my gratitude to Your Excellency, the Vice-President of Uganda, Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuka,  the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Maria Mutagamba and the Minister  of State for Regional Affairs, Phelemon Mateke, for honouring our Republic day reception and their kind words about my country.

I welcome all of our guests and wish them an enjoyable evening

Long live the Uganda-Turkish friendship

I wish to propose a toast to the health of the President of Uganda,  Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

Thank you.

The writer is the ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Uganda