Istanbul, May 23, 2025 – The Europe Today: Emine Erdoğan, wife of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, delivered a keynote address at a gala dinner held as part of the International Family Forum, emphasizing the need for global unity in protecting family values amid rising threats to traditional structures.
Organized by Türkiye’s Ministry of Family and Social Services under the theme “Our Family, Our Future”, the two-day forum convened ministers and high-level representatives from 27 countries to discuss strategies for strengthening families globally. The event forms part of Türkiye’s initiative to designate 2025 as the “Year of the Family.”
Addressing attendees, Emine Erdoğan highlighted the forum’s growing influence and the shared global concern for the preservation of family values. “All of us, in today’s world where threats against the family have greatly increased, want to protect it,” she stated. “This forum marks the first step of a strong solidarity to achieve this shared goal.”
Describing the family as “the most fundamental building block of society,” she said it represents a source of values, security, and national identity. “Just as we root a flower branch in water to reproduce it, the family is the ancient water where the heritage of civilisation takes root,” she said.
The First Lady warned of “global threats” aimed at weakening family structures from within, particularly by targeting children’s minds. “The family is a common value of societies around the world and a sacred element in all religions,” she added, calling on governments to enact stronger protective policies.
In her remarks, Emine Erdoğan also outlined Türkiye’s initiatives for reinforcing family unity, including marriage support, child welfare programs, and the Voluntary Hearts Project—an initiative praised by UNICEF. She affirmed that 2025 will be officially celebrated in Türkiye as the “Year of the Family.”
Referring to Türkiye’s cultural heritage, she said, “The spirit of Turkish culture is the extended family where generations live together.” Citing a Harvard University study, she added, “The secret of human happiness lies in being able to establish strong and sustainable relationships.”
Reflecting on humanitarian crises, Emine Erdoğan drew attention to the tragedy in Palestine, stating, “Since 7 October 2023, more than 2,000 families have been completely wiped out in Palestine,” and urged the international community not to turn a blind eye.
As part of the forum, representatives from 15 countries signed the Global Zero Waste Goodwill Declaration—an initiative first launched at the 78th UN General Assembly—pledging joint commitments for family wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Countries represented included Palestine, Nigeria, Senegal, Malaysia, and Kyrgyzstan.
To mark the occasion, Türkiye’s Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, presented Emine Erdoğan with a painting symbolizing a family tree. The First Lady later took to social media to share her reflections, saying: “The family is the oldest, most ancient, and most precious treasure of humanity… I was pleased to come together at the gala evening of the International Family Forum.”
The forum, which opened in Istanbul on Thursday, will conclude with closing remarks by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
