The continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, growing tensions surrounding Iran, regional conflicts, and economic uncertainties have brought new approaches to the future of the Middle East to the forefront. In this context, the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, offer a comprehensive approach to addressing international challenges.
The conference entitled “Change and the Way Forward: The Situation in the Middle East from the Perspective of the Four Global Initiatives,” jointly organized by the Global Civilizations Initiative Research Center (DÜNYA-MER) and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Türkiye, will take place on October 30, 2026, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Ankara. Bringing together politicians, diplomats, academics, and experts, the conference aims to examine the region’s challenges and potential solutions from multiple perspectives.
The conference will explore the significance of the four global initiatives for the Middle East, focusing on economic development, common security, dialogue among civilizations, and regional governance. With the participation of speakers from diverse political and academic backgrounds, the event will provide an opportunity to discuss perspectives and proposals concerning the transformation of the Middle East on the basis of peace, stability, and development.
The conference programme and speakers are as follows:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2026
OPENING SESSION | 14:30–14:50
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 14:30–14:40 | Jiang Xuebin — Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Türkiye |
| 14:40–14:50 | Doğu Perinçek — Chairman of the Vatan Party |
1. AN OVERVIEW OF THE FOUR GLOBAL INITIATIVES AND THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST | 15:00–15:30
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 15:00–15:15 | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erdem İlker Mutlu — Head of the Department of International Law, Hacettepe University |
| 15:15–15:30 | Prof. Dr. Hasan Ünal — Faculty Member, Başkent University |
2. THE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS FOR THE MIDDLE EAST | 15:30–16:00
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 15:30–15:45 | Prof. Dr. Cem Karadeli — Chief Advisor, Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies (ANKASAM) |
| 15:45–16:00 | Serhat Latifoğlu — Economics Columnist at Aydınlık Newspaper and Financial Consultant |
3. THE GLOBAL SECURITY INITIATIVE AND MANAGING THE SECURITY DILEMMA IN THE MIDDLE EAST | 16:00–16:45
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 16:00–16:15 | Bülent Kuşoğlu — Deputy Chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) |
| 16:15–16:30 | Ret. Brig. Gen. Prof. Dr. Oktay Bingöl — Faculty Member, Istanbul Arel University |
| 16:30–16:45 | Ali Özgündüz — Member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, 24th Legislative Term, representing Istanbul |
COFFEE BREAK | 16:45–17:15
4. THE GLOBAL CIVILIZATION INITIATIVE AND CIVILIZATIONAL DIALOGUE IN THE MIDDLE EAST | 17:15–17:45
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 17:15–17:30 | Prof. Dr. Semih Koray — President of the Global Civilizations Initiative Research Center (DÜNYA-MER) |
| 17:30–17:45 | Kuntay Gücüm — Editor-in-Chief of Teori Magazine |
5. THE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE REGIONAL GOVERNANCE SYSTEM IN THE MIDDLE EAST | 17:45–18:15
| Time | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 17:45–18:00 | Dr. Barış Adıbelli — Faculty Member, Dumlupınar University |
| 18:00–18:15 | Dr. Ali Alsaç — Industrial Engineer, National Strategy Center (USMER) |
CLOSING | 18:20
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Venue: Intercontinental Hotel, Ankara, Türkiye
Organizers: Global Civilizations Initiative Research Center (DÜNYA-MER) and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Türkiye
