Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdogan hosted a high-level meeting in Ankara with senior UN representatives to discuss global efforts to protect children from violence and promote foster care systems.
The meeting, held at the Presidential Complex’s State Guesthouse, included Najat Maalla M’jid, the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, UN Resident Coordinator in Türkiye Babatunde Ahonsi and UNICEF Türkiye Representative Paolo Marchi.
Erdogan highlighted her Volunteer Ambassadors Project, which she launched in 2012, as a model for ensuring that children without family care are placed in loving homes. The initiative was praised by UNICEF’s Marchi, who underscored Erdogan’s leadership both nationally and globally in advocating for child welfare.
The discussions centered on enhancing international cooperation, expanding protective mechanisms for vulnerable children and strengthening global foster care systems. Türkiye’s Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş also took part in the meeting.
Emine Erdogan later shared on social media that the tragedy in Gaza was also addressed, with a shared commitment to protect children caught in conflict zones.
She stressed the importance of global solidarity, stating, “Being the voice of children and ensuring a peaceful, hopeful future for them is our common duty.”
