Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş stated that President of the Republic of Türkiye Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly was "historic" and that Mr. Erdoğan shared a message to the international community to "stand by the family and strengthen it".
Minister Göktaş, who was in New York for the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), made evaluations to AA correspondent.
Göktaş said she accompanied the programs of the President of the Republic of Türkiye Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his spouse First Lady Mrs. Emine Erdoğan in New York.
Noting that it was the first time that the Ministry of Family and Social Services organized a side event at the UN General Assembly, Göktaş emphasized that the Ministry of Family and Social Services highlighted the "fair distribution of social welfare".
Göktaş stated, "We really care about social welfare. At the same time, it was a good opportunity to explain and transfer the social service model."
Reminding that on February 6, Türkiye experienced the "disaster of the century", Göktaş stated that both during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Kahramanmaraş-based earthquakes on February 6, the Ministry reached out to all those in need and stood by the citizens without leaving no one behind.
Göktaş said that it was the opportunity to explain this to the high-level officials, presidential spouses and other high-level guests attending the event today.
"The social work model is a human-oriented model"
Minister Göktaş said, "In fact, the social service model is an exemplary, human-oriented and human-centered model. As AK Parti governments for 21 years, we have produced and will continue to produce policies aimed at strengthening the family, the individual, women and the whole society."
In this context, Göktaş stated that the social service model was explained at the side event at the UN and that the Ministry emphasized that all groups with disadvantages were provided with this service.
Pointing out that the side event organized by them was highly appreciated by the participants, Göktaş said, "It has received great appreciation from the participants, including the (United Nations Population Fund) UNFPA representative, (United Nations Children's Fund) UNICEF and other officials who traveled to Türkiye. They have always emphasized that these services in Türkiye are exemplary."
Göktaş stated that this not only imposed responsibility on them, but also showed once again how valuable their work was.
She emphasized the importance of the President of the Republic of Türkiye Mr. Erdoğan's messages to strengthen the family
Commenting on the 78th General Assembly of the UN, Göktaş said, "(President Erdoğan's) speech at the United Nations is truly historic. Each message has been valuable to each. At the same time, he discussed the international conflicts, but also emphasized the points that are sensitive and relevant to the society."
Pointing to the importance of the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Erdoğan's emphasis on the family, Göktaş emphasized the importance of Mr. Erdoğan's message to the international community to "stand by the family and strengthen the family".
Stating that Mr.Erdoğan's emphasis on children was also important, Göktaş said that people lived in a world of constant consumption, and therefore they needed to proceed with this awareness in order to leave a more prosperous and fairer world to future generations.
Noting that the President of the Republic of Türkiye Mr. Erdoğan's emphasis on "zero waste" was also important, Göktaş drew attention to Erdoğan's messages on the fight against racism, xenophobia and discrimination.
"A Türkiye worthy of the Century of Türkiye is before us today and we are proud of it"
Göktaş said the talks in New York on the sidelines of the General Assembly of UN were "very critical".
Pointing out that Türkiye, under the leadership of Mr. Erdoğan, became a country that had a voice in mediation, crisis management and conflicts, Göktaş said that Mr. Erdoğan sent strong messages through his meetings in New York.
Göktaş noted that the countries Erdoğan met with also said, "Mr. President, the messages you convey while you are here also strengthen us."
"A Türkiye worthy of the Century of Türkiye is before us today and we are proud of it." Göktaş said that as the Ministry of Family and Social Services, children, women, persons with disabilities, older persons, veterans and all groups in need were directly addressed.
"We have started the family workshops"
Pointing to the family education, pre-marital education programs and family counseling centers provided by the Ministry, Minister Göktaş added, "We have started family workshops. Together with the directors of the Ministry of the Family and Social Services in 81 provinces of Türkiye, we have created a consultation mechanism in which we included civil society organizations, academics and other segments of the society."
Pointing to the "family council" to be held in Ankara next month, Göktaş noted that following the council, the "family vision document" guiding the policies and services to be provided in the field would be shared with the public.