What is on Erdogan's New York agenda?
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to conduct an intensive round of diplomacy in New York as world leaders gather for the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The UN General Debate begins on September 22, with Erdogan expected to address the General Assembly on the opening day.
As of September 19, the Turkish Presidency has not released a detailed hour-by-hour schedule for Erdogan's visit. His arrival and departure times, meetings at the Turkish House and most bilateral engagements therefore remain unannounced.
Erdogan's New York schedule: What we know so far
|
September 22 | UNGA 81 General Debate | Erdogan expected to participate |
September 22 | Erdogan's UN General Assembly address | Provisionally listed as 4th speaker |
Sept. 22–28 | Erdogan–Trump meeting | Expected; time and venue not announced |
Sept. 22–28 | Bilateral meetings with other leaders | Schedule not yet announced |
Sept. 22–28 | Possible meetings at the Turkish House | Detailed schedule not yet announced |
Departure | Erdogan leaves New York | Date and time not announced |
September 22 set to be the key day
September 22 currently stands out as the most important confirmed window in Erdogan's New York visit.
Erdogan is expected to address world leaders on the first day of the UN General Debate. According to the preliminary speaking order, the Turkish president is expected to be the fourth speaker.
The speaking order should not, however, be treated as a confirmed time slot. Proceedings can shift depending on the duration of speeches and protocol changes.
Erdogan's address will be closely watched for messages on regional conflicts, Gaza, Syria, the Russia-Ukraine war and the Black Sea, Türkiye-U.S. relations, global security and reform of the United Nations system.
Erdogan's expected UN address
|
Event | 81st UN General Assembly General Debate |
Date | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 |
Venue | United Nations Headquarters, New York |
Hall | General Assembly Hall |
Address | 405 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 |
Speaking order | Provisionally 4th speaker |
Exact time | Not yet announced |
Erdogan–Trump meeting emerges as another major focus
A potential meeting between President Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to be one of the most closely watched diplomatic developments of the UNGA week.
Turkish media reports citing U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack have said that the two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
As of September 19, however, the exact date, time and venue of the meeting have not been publicly announced.
A specific Erdogan meeting slot has also not yet appeared in the publicly reported details of Trump's UNGA schedule. This does not indicate that the meeting has been canceled; its timing has simply not been made public.
Key issues to watch in a possible Erdogan–Trump meeting
|
Türkiye–U.S. relations | Political and diplomatic ties |
Defense | F-35s, F-16s and defense cooperation |
Syria | Regional security and developments in Syria |
Gaza | War and regional diplomacy |
Iran | Regional security dynamics |
Trade | Bilateral economic relations |
Turkish Airlines–Boeing | Whether the aircraft negotiations enter the agenda |
The Turkish Airlines-Boeing negotiations could also become an important economic story during UNGA week. Reuters reported on September 15 that Boeing was nearing progress on a long-delayed Turkish Airlines order involving 150 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
There is currently no confirmation that an aircraft agreement would be signed during an Erdogan–Trump meeting.
Turkish House could become a center of diplomatic activity
Another location to watch throughout Erdogan's New York visit will be the Turkish House, or Türkevi, located directly across from the United Nations complex.
The building serves as one of Türkiye's main diplomatic hubs in New York and could host meetings involving Turkish officials, foreign delegations, business representatives or members of the Turkish-American community.
|
UN Headquarters | 405 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 | General Debate and high-level UN meetings |
General Assembly Hall | UN Headquarters | Erdogan's expected September 22 address |
Turkish House / Türkevi | 821 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017 | Potential diplomatic and delegation meetings |
As of September 19, no detailed public schedule has been announced for events involving Erdogan at the Turkish House.
Turkish ministers' diplomatic schedule also in focus
The full list of Turkish ministers and senior officials accompanying Erdogan has not yet been publicly announced.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's diplomatic engagements will be particularly important to watch. Russia and Ukraine, Black Sea security and grain transit, Gaza, Syria, Iran and relations with the United States are among the foreign policy issues likely to dominate Türkiye's diplomatic agenda.
It also remains unclear which senior Turkish economic, trade and energy officials will travel to New York.
A busy UN schedule continues through September 29
Several high-level UN meetings are scheduled after the opening of the General Debate. Türkiye's level of representation at these meetings has not yet been announced.
|
September 23 | Right to Development | Development and global inequality |
September 23 | Climate Action and Just Transition | Climate policy and energy transition |
September 24 | Sea-Level Rise | Climate adaptation and coastal policy |
September 25 | Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response | Health diplomacy |
September 28 | Durban Declaration high-level meeting | Racism and xenophobia |
September 29 | Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons | Security and disarmament |
These meetings are part of the UN's high-level calendar, but Erdogan's attendance — or the participation of specific Turkish ministers — should not be considered confirmed unless officially announced.
More details expected as UNGA week approaches
For now, the clearest part of Erdogan's New York agenda is his expected September 22 address to the UN General Assembly.
The anticipated Erdogan–Trump meeting is another major item to watch, although its date, time and venue have yet to be announced.
Further announcements from the Turkish Presidency, Foreign Ministry and U.S. officials are expected to clarify Erdogan's bilateral meetings, Turkish House engagements, Turkish-American community events and the wider Turkish delegation's schedule as UNGA 81 gets underway.
