The 15th Global Relations 2024 Summit, titled “Navigating an Uncertain, Common Global Future” was organized in Feshane Istanbul. The future of global relations was discussed in different dimensions.
Founded in 2009, the Global Affairs Forum (GRF) is an independent think tank that aims to create a culture of reconciliation by harmonizing and blending different opinions on world issues. GRF adopts and supports the understanding that the path to peace, prosperity and development should be open, accessible and fair to all, and bases all its activities on analytical inquiry, rational debate and constructive style. The GRF publishes research and reports on science, economics, technology, society, business, international investment and trade, and today has 370 individual and 32 corporate members.
Former Prime Minister of Greece George Papandreou:
Strengthening Turkey-Greece relations sets an example for the whole world
Keynote speaker at the 15th Global Relations 2024 Summit, Former Prime Minister of Greece George Papandreou, said that the challenges between countries continue, but the world’s greatest need is to create an environment of trust. “We need to take into account not only the challenges we face but also our responsibilities towards the future,” Papandreou said, adding, ”We need solidarity, trust and understanding. Unfortunately, global organizations do not have these values.” Papandreou’s comments are as follows:
Sharing the power is essential, US must know its limits
“We need to reimagine our future. Access to education and health, fair governance, tackling the climate crisis, youth and women’s empowerment, inclusion, human rights, and security – there are so many issues we need to focus on. But today, there is a huge mismatch between words and deeds. We need to recognize the reality as soon as possible. All these problems we are facing are man-made. And only we can create the change we need. What we need is multilateralism; we have to act in cooperation. We need to share power. And that requires trust and dialog. First of all, the US needs to know its limits. Military interventions are nothing more than military adventures. They harm the whole world. This is where we need international organizations that emphasize cooperation.”
If we lose hope, we lose our dignity
“As global inequalities are growing rapidly, finance and capitalism need to be restructured. Today, power and money are in the hands of a tiny minority. Politics is also shaped by money. We see that corporations can be even more powerful than governments. Governments can be inadequate in the areas of health, education and housing. Insecurity is on the rise. We need a very clear change of mind. We need to question the basic values of democracy. Authoritarian leaders who make polarization-based politics prevent societies from changing and developing. We need a common purpose, if we lose hope, we lose our dignity. On this path, we have to believe in each other, trust each other and move forward together.”
10 essential steps for cooperation
“The development of relations between Greece and Turkey is crucial for peace in the region,” says former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, adding that Greece and Turkey can set an invaluable example by acting together at a time when the world needs cooperation the most. In this context, Papandreou points to 10 key steps:
-Reduce tensions in the Aegean Sea and focus on cooperation.
-Finding common solutions on energy security, migration and climate issues.
-Stabilize Cyprus by taking joint decisions on Cyprus.
-To create a joint action plan to ensure peace in the region.
-Co-lead the transformation needed for sustainable development.
-To realize joint renewable energy projects in the Aegean and Mediterranean.
-Developing a common innovation ecosystem in the digital age.
-Supporting civil society to strengthen citizen diplomacy.
-Carrying out joint work between the business world and young people; developing economic cooperation and realizing joint investments.
-Cooperate in the fields of education, arts and culture.
GRF Chairman Zeynep Bodur Okyay:
Turkey should be a strong solution partner in the new global cooperation agenda
As the global economy continues to recover and reshape following the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of labor markets and consumer behavior around the world remains complex and fragile. This is further challenged by a combination of geopolitical tensions, inflation and technological advances. The persistence of development disparities across countries is a worrying trend.
Climate change and environmental degradation, on the other hand, pose long-term risks. The frequency of extreme weather events threatens agriculture, infrastructure and human livelihoods. Growing income inequality between advanced and emerging economies threatens sustainable global growth and exacerbates social tensions and migration pressures. Conflicts, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, continue to cause regional and international instability with no resolution. The world is entering a new era, driven not only by technological innovations such as artificial intelligence, but also by resource scarcity and instability driven by climate change. Meanwhile, global governance is fragmented, inconsistent and still characterized by great power competition.
Zeynep Bodur Okyay, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GRF, delivered the opening speech of the 15th Global Affairs 2024 Summit, where all these issues were discussed.
Emphasizing that Turkey must seize the opportunities to strengthen its global role at a time when the rules of the world are being rewritten, Zeynep Bodur Okyay said, “Turkey must be a strong solution partner in the new global cooperation agenda.” Zeynep Bodur Okyay’s comments are as follows:
“The climate crisis affects the whole world economically, socially and environmentally. Decarbonization in the field of energy is gaining momentum. Transition to a low carbon economy is the main agenda item of the whole world. On the other hand, geopolitical tensions are increasing in different parts of the world. Power balances are being redefined. 2024 is a year of elections in dozens of countries hosting almost half of the world’s population. This means that social structures are also transforming. Polarization and inequality are on the rise around the world, as is distrust of governments and justice systems. Artificial intelligence is rapidly emerging as a new game changer and is beginning to shape the business world and the economy. Turkey cannot miss this wind of change. Technology, innovation, sustainability and people are the priority areas to invest in. Collaboration is more important than ever. With 370 individual members and 32 institutional members, the Global Relations Forum aims to create a culture of consensus by bringing together visionaries from diplomacy to technology, from the climate crisis to the economy. Thanks to our diversity, solidarity and cooperation, we are ready to overcome all the challenges ahead. Turkey is ready to be a center of production, thought, creativity and innovation. Turkey needs to be a strong partner in the new global cooperation agenda.”
