It is a privilege to moderate this important discussion today among such distinguished leaders, policymakers, academics, diplomats, and representatives of civil society from across Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and beyond. I would especially like to thank our good friends Dr. Müjgan Suver and Sezgin Bilgiç, as well as the entire Marmara Group Foundation, for continuing to create a platform where dialogue is placed above division, cooperation above confrontation, and mutual understanding above political polarisation.

We are meeting during a period of profound global transformation. Across many regions, the international community faces serious challenges: geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, social fragmentation, rapid technological change, and conflicts that continue to affect millions of people.

Yet at the same time, there are also many reasons for optimism.

We are witnessing remarkable advances in science, technology, education, healthcare, and global connectivity. We are seeing societies become more interconnected than at any previous point in human history. We are also seeing increasing awareness that long-term peace and stability cannot be achieved through confrontation alone, but through cooperation, dialogue, inclusion, and shared responsibility.

One of the most encouraging developments of recent decades has been the growing role of international cooperation through institutions such as the United Nations and other multilateral organisations. While international institutions are not perfect, they continue to provide essential frameworks for diplomacy, humanitarian action, economic cooperation, and conflict prevention.

Equally important is the growing understanding that sustainable economic development and democratic resilience depend on the participation of all parts of society. This includes the advancement of women in political leadership, diplomacy, business, education, and international governance, not as a symbolic exercise, but as part of building more inclusive and effective societies.

We are witnessing today, although not yet at the pace or scale we might wish for, the growing advancement of women’s leadership within international governance institutions and national governments. Across the United Nations system, regional organisations, development banks, international courts, some national parliaments & governments and global policy forums, women are increasingly shaping the decisions that influence peace, security, economic development, climate policy, humanitarian response, and international cooperation. This is not simply a matter of representation, but a strategic transformation in the way global governance itself is evolving.

Over the past decades, the international community has increasingly recognised that sustainable development, peace, and effective governance cannot be achieved when half of humanity remains underrepresented in decision-making structures.

This shift is especially significant in a rapidly changing global economy shaped by artificial intelligence, digital finance, innovation ecosystems, and cross-border technological cooperation, where leadership is increasingly defined by knowledge, creativity, innovation, and human capital.

International institutions also have a crucial role in sustaining and accelerating these positive trends. The United Nations and other multilateral organisations can act not only as political platforms, but as enablers of opportunity by supporting education, strengthening legal frameworks, encouraging economic participation, promoting leadership development, expanding digital inclusion, and fostering cross-border networks of mentorship and cooperation.

At the same time, the world is entering a new technological era shaped by artificial intelligence, digital economies, and unprecedented access to information and communication. These transformations are changing not only economies, but also the way societies interact and cooperate internationally.

If managed responsibly, these developments hold enormous positive potential. Artificial intelligence can improve education, healthcare, diplomacy, and economic opportunity. Digital platforms can connect cultures and societies across borders. New economic technologies and digital assets can create broader participation in global markets and innovation ecosystems.

At the same time AI´s successful future depends on digital integrity.

For younger generations especially, technology is creating opportunities for international engagement, entrepreneurship, cultural exchange, and civic participation on a scale previously unimaginable.

But technological progress must remain connected to ethics, human dignity, and international responsibility.

This is why cultural diplomacy is becoming increasingly important in the 21st century.

For many years, diplomacy was viewed primarily through the lens of governments and geopolitical interests. Today, however, we understand that long-term peace is also built through education, culture, academic exchange, business cooperation, technological collaboration, and people-to-people dialogue.

Cultural diplomacy creates trust where politics alone often cannot. It helps societies recognise common human values despite political differences. And perhaps most importantly, it reminds us that international relations are ultimately about people, not only states.

In this context, discussions about democracy, rights, inclusion, and peace are not only political discussions. They are discussions about the type of global society we wish to build for future generations.

The future of peace will depend not only on military strength or economic power, but also on ethical leadership, strong institutions, innovation, education, intercultural understanding, and the ability of societies to create opportunity and dignity for their citizens.

This is why today’s session is both of the moment and important.

We are fortunate to have an exceptional panel bringing wide perspectives today. I hope today’s discussion will analyse challenges and also contribute ideas, partnerships and constructive solutions for the future.

Because ultimately, peace is not only the absence of conflict.
Peace is the presence of dignity, opportunity, dialogue, and hope.
And democracy achieves its fullest meaning when societies create space for participation, responsibility and human potential to flourish.

As the famous Yunus Emre once said: “Come, let us know one another, let us make things easy, let us love and be loved, for the world belongs to no one.”

Thank you very much and ladies and gentleman Let us begin.

• Independent