FM Fidan warns humanity is close to ‘clash of civilizations’

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned on Tuesday that humanity has never been closer to a “clash of civilizations,” stressing that the world faces an urgent challenge as extremism, xenophobia and racism rise globally.

Fidan delivered the remarks during his address at the 10th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Initiative Meeting in Lisbon, Portugal.

Our call is a call to end the vicious cycle of misperceptions, hatred, violence and conflict. Let us recommit to stop the bloodshed, let us engage in dialogue to build peace. Türkiye stands ready to strongly support all efforts in this direction.

As co-sponsors of the Alliance (Türkiye and Spain), we have always believed that we have much more in common than what divides us. We have argued strongly that we can work together to promote peace, tolerance and human dignity.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Fidan’s warning against escalating global tensions

“We have never been this close to the clash of civilizations in real terms. There is a warning for humanity,” Fidan said.

The minister emphasized that tensions between different cultures and societies are intensifying, fueled by rising hatred and extremism.

According to Fidan, these issues are being manipulated by certain forces, further deepening divisions in the international community.

Countries that support the Alliance of Civilizations and its core values cannot remain silent about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Therefore, the countries that want peace for Palestine are present in this hall today. Those who are incapable of even pronouncing the word ceasefire are absent.

Those who lecture us without respecting international law and universal values are not in this hall today because this is an alliance for peace. Not only in the West, but also in the rest of the world, including Palestine.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Fidan’s comments come amid growing concerns over global conflicts, including the ongoing violence in Gaza, where civilians continue to suffer from Israel’s attacks. The minister stated that the international community must act urgently to prevent further fragmentation in the global system.

Focus on the Gaza conflict

One of the central themes in Fidan‘s speech was the situation in Gaza, where he condemned Israel’s ongoing military actions. He referred to the actions of Israel against Palestinians as “the worst of these problems,” underscoring the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded in Gaza over the past 14 months.

Today, 20 years after its creation, we need this platform (the Alliance of Civilizations) more than ever. The global order is falling apart and hatred is being deliberately fomented.

All forms of discrimination, including Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief are unacceptable and must be condemned. We need to turn the Alliance into a soft power tool to bridge networks of religious and faith-based organizations. We will discuss all these concrete steps in upcoming meetings.

Let us use this forum as an opportunity to renew our call. Our call is a call to end the vicious cycle of misperceptions, hatred, violence and conflict. Let us recommit ourselves to stop the bloodshed, let us engage in dialogue to build peace. Türkiye stands ready to strongly support all efforts in this direction.”

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

“The more we keep silent, the more fragmentation in the international system will occur,” Fidan warned, calling on the international community to take a stronger stance against violence and injustice.

Call for global action, peace

Fidan stressed that there can be no lasting peace in the region as long as the cycles of hunger, deprivation, and death continue, particularly in Gaza.

He urged the international community to address these issues, stating that without resolving the humanitarian crisis, peace remains out of reach.