Rio de janeiro: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip has “negatively” impacted decades of development in the Middle East. In his speech during a session titled “Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic and Financial Issues, and Artificial Intelligence” at the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit currently being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Fidan added: “If Israel’s aggression and expansion are not curbed, the world will feel its effects.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Turkish Foreign Minister noted that the tragedy experienced by the Palestinian people is the focus of discussions today on multilateralism. This situation represents a serious crisis regarding the legitimacy of the institutions responsible for ensuring international peace and security.

Fidan emphasized that retreating from multilateralism is not an option, noting that it is considered the “driving force of progress” and has impacted daily life, from civil aviation to healthcare systems, from fair trade to standards in the digital sphere. He also stressed that Turkey has focused its efforts on peaceful solutions and reducing tensions, affirming its readiness to fully support lasting peace in the region.

The Turkish Foreign Minister further highlighted the importance of global governance of artificial intelligence, stating that as the world moves towards multipolarity, it is imperative to take necessary measures to prevent artificial intelligence from becoming a new tool of domination.

It is worth noting that the BRIC group, whose current summit is being hosted by Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined in 2011, transforming it into “BRICS,” an international platform for consultation and cooperation. In August 2023, Egypt, Ethiopia, the UAE, and Iran joined the group as part of its expansion. Brazil, the current chair, announced in January 2025 that Indonesia would also join.