Turkish philanthropist urges stronger regional role to safeguard country’s future

Türkiye is stepping up efforts to strengthen its long-term security by tying national stability more closely to broader regional cooperation, particularly across neighbouring regions such as the Caucasus.

Speaking at a Civil Society Organizations Meeting at the Faculty of Theology of Muş Alparslan University in eastern Türkiye on April 23, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, chair of the board of trustees of the Ilim Yayma Foundation, said the country’s defence strategy can no longer be confined to its own borders.

“If we want to ensure our own security, we must also work to ensure the security of all countries in our region,” he said, as cited by the Daily Sabah outlet. “Türkiye must now establish its defence line beyond its borders.”

The foundation is a decades-old, prominent organization that focuses on promoting education, science, and cultural values in the country by providing scholarships and supporting educational facilities. 

He noted that instability in regions such as the Balkans, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus has a direct impact on Türkiye. Stability in neighboring regions, he added, strengthens Türkiye’s own security environment and helps create a more predictable and sustainable regional order where economic and political development reinforce one another.

Erdoğan pointed to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Lebanon and elsewhere, describing a wider geography shaped by prolonged instability, recurring crises, and persistent security challenges.

“We live in a region where conflict and unrest have continued for decades,” he said, adding that Türkiye cannot isolate itself from these dynamics and must instead position itself in line with the realities of its surroundings.

He argued that national security in such an environment cannot be defined solely within domestic borders, and that both internal resilience and external strategic depth are essential.

“If Türkiye wants to be secure, it must be very strong,” he said, stressing that this strength must be sustained both domestically and through regional influence.

Role of youth in shaping tomorrow

Erdoğan also said Türkiye is increasingly capable of pursuing this broader strategic vision, but warned that long-term success depends on preparing younger generations. “If we fail to prepare our children with a strong vision, we cannot achieve these goals,” he said.

He emphasized that education and child development should be viewed as a collective responsibility, not limited to parents or teachers alone.

“We must accept that raising a child is not only the duty of parents or teachers,” he said. “This is a shared responsibility of society.”

His remarks come as the government has passed legislation aimed at protecting young people from harmful online content by restricting access to social media platforms for children under 15.

Türkiye’s vision for future

Türkiye’s long-term strategic outlook was also highlighted, with references to its 2023, 2053, and 2071 goals—framed as part of a broader shift from short-term thinking to long-term national planning.

“We moved from a country that could not see one year ahead to one that now sees 10 years ahead,” he said, describing the change as a structural transformation in governance and national vision.

Despite global crises and regional conflicts, he noted that Türkiye has largely met—or come close to—its 2023 targets, calling it evidence of resilience under challenging international conditions.

The 2053 vision, he added, serves as a long-term roadmap to guide the country’s development, strengthen its global standing, and shape its strategic direction in the decades ahead.

By Nazrin Sadigova