4th International NGO Fair Istanbul - 2024

Organized by the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) and the Foundation of Volunteer Organizations of Turkey (TGTV), the 4th International NGO Fair was held on November 21-23, 2024, at Istanbul Atatürk Airport Terminal C.

Bringing together non-governmental organizations from Turkey and across the Islamic world, the fair aimed to strengthen cooperation and generate solutions to global social, economic, and humanitarian challenges. Throughout the three-day event, participants were encouraged to develop joint projects among civil society organizations through panels, workshops, networking tables, and cultural programs.

First Day

The Opening Program of the 4th International NGO Fair commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Bünyamin Topçuoğlu, Imam-Hatip of Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Welcoming addresses were subsequently delivered by Eyüp Akbal, Secretary General of UNIW; Atty. İsmail Tuğrul, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of TGTV; Davut Gül, Governor of Istanbul; and other distinguished guests. The opening program concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a commemorative photograph.

The Conference on the Islamic World and the Cause of East Turkestan was held under the moderation of Hidayet Oğuzhan, President of the International Union of East Turkestan NGOs. In the conference, Hidayet Oğuzhan presented "The Islamic World and the Cause of East Turkestan"; journalist-author Yusuf Kaplan presented "The Place of East Turkestan in the Islamic World"; and Abdurreşid Eminhacı, Secretary General of the International Union of East Turkestan NGOs, presented "Oppression Experienced in East Turkestan and the Responsibility of the Islamic World".

The Panel on Humanitarian Situation in Sudan, Lebanon, and Arakan was held under the moderation of Ali Adem, President of Sudan Salam Development Association. In the panel, Ali Adem presented "Humanitarian Relief Operations in Sudan"; Dr. Imad Said, President of Lebanon ACA, presented "Humanitarian Situation and Solutions in Lebanon"; Selim Noor, General Manager of Arakan Humanitarian Relief Association, presented "Human Rights Violations in Arakan"; and Yasir Maravi, Director of Tekeffül Şam Association, presented "The Role of Humanitarian Relief in Syria".

The International Disaster Management Session was conducted under the moderation of Hüseyin Ceven, Head of NGO Relations and Volunteering Department at AFAD. During the session, Seyfettin Karabulut, Head of International Humanitarian Aid Department at AFAD, presented "Turkey's International Humanitarian Aid Operations"; Recep Şükrü Balkan, Deputy General Manager of Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, presented "National and International Activities in Disaster Management"; Ömer Kars, Board Member of IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, presented "National Operations in Disaster Management"; Menderes Naç, General Manager of Hasene Foundation, presented "February 6 Earthquakes Operations and International Activities"; and Dr. Khaled Diab presented "Designing a Comprehensive Disaster Management Framework in the Islamic World".

Second Day

The Session on Humanitarian Situation and Relief Projects in Yemen was held under the moderation of Ayman Riyadh, Marketing Manager of Veysel Karani Foundation. In the session, Abdulvasi Alvasi, Secretary General of Human Access, presented "Challenges of Humanitarian Work in Yemen"; and Dawod Alwah, President of YDN, presented "The Situation in Yemen: Facts and Figures".

The Gaza Session was conducted under the moderation of Prof. Dr. Zekeriya Kurşun. In the session, Dr. Ahmet Emin Dağ presented "Gaza and Regional Alliances: New Conflict Arenas and Strategic Calculations"; Dr. Semiha Karahan, Researcher on Judaism, presented "The Mind of Zionism and Gaza"; Islam Asalya, a wounded veteran from Gaza, presented "The Human Tragedy in Gaza: Personal Experiences and Testimonies"; and Abdulmacit El'Alul, Representative of Gaza Support Association, presented "The Impact of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza and Current Regional Needs".

The Panel on International Migration and Humanitarian Crises was held under the moderation of Prof. Dr. Bekir Berat Özipek. In the panel, Recep Seyyar, Chairman of the Board of Migration and Diaspora Foundation, presented "Migrant Mobility"; Muhammed Akta, General Manager of ULFED, presented "The Role of NGOs in Migration Studies"; Süleyman Kurt, Board Member of International Refugee Rights Association, presented "The Impact of Anti-Migrant and Racist Discourse in National and International Media"; and Atty. Elif Selen Ay presented "Refugees' Access to Rights in the Context of International Standards".

Third Day

The Closing Program of the 4th International NGO Fair was held with the honored presence of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The program commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Bünyamin Topçuoğlu, Imam-Hatip of Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Welcoming addresses were delivered by Eyüp Akbal, Secretary General of UNIW, and Atty. İsmail Tuğrul, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of TGTV. The closing program concluded with an address by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the presentation of a commemorative gift.

The 4th International NGO Fair officially concluded with a closing dinner and a group photograph.