TRT World Forum

TRT World Forum serves as an international conference and meeting platform that brings together recognized leaders, academics, politicians, journalists, and civil society members from around the world.

As the global thought platform of Türkiye Radio and Television Corporation, TRT World Forum aims to establish a fair, pluralistic and inclusive space for debate within the international public sphere. The forum opens discussions on global issues such as politics, media, economics, environment, technology and security with leaders, academics, journalists, thinkers and civil society representatives from diverse regions. It seeks to address global challenges through principles of justice, human values and pluralism by offering an alternative intellectual environment to the Western-centric perspective.

The vision of TRT World Forum is to enhance Türkiye’s effectiveness in international media and intellectual diplomacy and to position Türkiye as one of the leading centers of global thought production through a truthful, humane and ethical communication approach. The forum is organized annually around a designated main theme, addressing contemporary issues such as refugee crises, disinformation, ethics in the digital age and climate justice.

TRT World Forum is an international platform that addresses political, economic, social and cultural issues on a global scale. Since 2017, the forum has been held annually around a different theme, bringing together heads of state, academics, journalists, experts and civil society representatives to highlight efforts to find solutions to pressing contemporary challenges.

The inaugural forum in 2017 under the theme “Inspiring Change in an Age of Uncertainty” examined the causes and solutions to global uncertainties. Topics such as armed conflicts, humanitarian aid, xenophobia, Islamophobia and the social impact of media were discussed in seven public and seven closed sessions.^【1】

The 2018 event, themed “Designing Peace and Security in a Fragmented World,” analyzed global peace and security issues. Organized by the TRT World Research Center, this summit comprised eight public sessions, eleven closed sessions, six opening speeches and various special meetings.^【2】

The 2019 forum addressed current topics in global politics, economics and society. Session titles included “Identity Politics in a Globalizing World,” “NATO on the Frontline: New Security Threats,” “The New Face of Terrorism: The Far Right,” “Shifting Equilibria and Regional Cooperation in the Middle East,” and “The Refugee Crisis and Europe.”^【3】

The fourth forum in 2020, held under the theme “International Order and Changing Dynamics in a Post-Pandemic World,” took place entirely in a digital format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was conducted virtually using a system developed by a Turkish software company integrated with green screen technology and game engine platforms.^【4】

The fifth forum in 2021 gathered approximately 100 speakers from 36 countries under the theme “Power and Paradox: Understanding Grand Strategy in the 21st Century.” Leaders, experts and academics assessed global strategic balances.^【5】

The 2022 program, themed “Shaping the Future: Uncertainties, Realities and Opportunities,” addressed issues such as energy, migration, food security and Islamophobia through public sessions and roundtable discussions.^【6】

In 2023, the forum welcomed over a thousand participants from nearly 100 countries and more than 150 internationally recognized speakers. Discussions covered global cooperation, leadership, peace diplomacy, the energy crisis, climate change, migration, disinformation and digitalization.^【7】

The 2024 forum, held in Istanbul under the theme “A World at a Breaking Point: Managing Crises and Transformation,” featured a prominent panel titled “2024 Elections in the United States and EU Members: What Lies Ahead for Global Democracy?”^【8】

The 2025 forum’s main theme was “Global Reconfiguration: From the Old Order to New Realities.” Participants assessed the process of reshaping the international order, with discussions held on sessions titled “Building Strategic Autonomy: Türkiye and the Global Defense Paradigm,” “The Return of High-Risk Diplomacy: Middle Powers and the Rise of a Multipolar Order,” “Economic Fronts: Trade Conflicts and New Global Competitions,” and “Journalism on the Frontline: From Battlefield Risks to Algorithmic Suppression.”^【9】

^{TRT World Forum 2025 - Session on "The Return of High-Risk Diplomacy: Middle Powers and the Rise of a Multipolar Order" (}Anadolu Ajansı⁾

The overall coordination of the organization is carried out by international events units within the General Directorate of TRT. The forum’s structure is based on a multi-layered organizational model designed to ensure the professional, thematic and participant-focused execution of the event. The executive and organizing committee is responsible for determining the theme, inviting speakers, managing the program schedule and logistical arrangements. The Academic and Advisory Board, composed of expert academics, think tank representatives and journalists, establishes the intellectual framework of the forum and defines session topics. The event is broadcast live through various TRT channels and digital platforms, with all sessions archived afterward in report, analysis and documentary formats.

^{TRT General Director and TRT World Forum Board of Trustees Member Mehmet Zahid Sobacı (}Anadolu Ajansı⁾

The Board of Trustees, which oversees TRT World Forum, consists of internationally recognized academics, politicians and opinion leaders.

• Mehmet Zahid Sobacı – General Director of TRT and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.^【10】
• Francesco Rocca – President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).^【11】
• Ivo Josipović – Former President of Croatia.^【12】
• Rached Ghannouchi – Tunisian politician and leader of the Ennahda Movement.^【13】
• Sayeeda Warsi – Member of the United Kingdom Conservative Party and former cabinet minister.^【14】
• Volkan Bozkır – Former Minister of European Union Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye.^【15】

The Executive Team is responsible for the operational and organizational processes of the forum, managing its planning, content and media coordination.

Members of the team include: Selin Burcu, Esra Öztürk, Aamer Rahman, Ayşegül Karagöz, Lamis Şeyh, Merve Kılıç, Muhammed Ali Gülmez, Mustafa Aykut Ersoy, Neslihan Yakut, Ömer Zengin, Sabri Eğe, Sena Erkan, Şeymanur Yönt, Osman Ali and Ümmügülsüm Katmer.

The Advisory Board was established to contribute to the intellectual framework of the forum, define thematic directions and strengthen its international connections. The board comprises academics, think tank members and diplomats from various countries.

Members include: Anita Alban, Farid Şafiyev, François Burgat, Guo Changgang, Haroon Siddiqui, Javad Mottaghi, Javed Cabbar, Kılıç Buğra Kanat, Maha Azzam, Mukesh Kapila, Richard Falk, Salman Şeyh, Talip Küçükcan, Tarik M. Yousef and Wang Yiwei.