Istanbul: Leaders, ministers, diplomats, and communication experts gathered Friday in Istanbul for the International Strategic Communication Summit (STRATCOM) 2026 to examine global instability, mediation diplomacy, digital transformation, and challenges to legitimacy in the international system.
According to Anadolu Agency, the summit, organized by Trkiye’s Communications Directorate, brings together officials from multiple regions to discuss how strategic communication is reshaping diplomacy, governance, and security. The first day featured six panels, with additional discussions scheduled for the second day.
At the ‘A New Framework for the Global Order: A Strategic Communication Perspective’ panel, speakers highlighted the erosion of the international system amid rising disinformation. Fuat Oktay, head of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that Trkiye maintains dialogue with both East and West and can communicate with nearly every conflict zone through trust-based engagement. Transparency and openness were noted as fundamental requirements in strategic communication.
Tahsin Ertugruloglu, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Foreign Minister, criticized the global order for failing Turkish Cypriots, pointing out the perceived unfairness of the current system shaped by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. Syria’s Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa emphasized the role of the Syrian society in combating disinformation, particularly among the Syrian diaspora.
Bangladesh Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon warned of the global impact of disinformation, citing developments in the Middle East and oil crises as concrete examples. Kazakhstan’s First Vice Minister of Culture and Information Kanat Iskakov linked declining trust among states to systemic changes, emphasizing the need for effective functioning of rules in achieving peace.
At another panel, ‘Actors and Leader Diplomacy in the Mediation Process,’ discussions centered on diplomacy, cultural ties, and inclusive leadership in conflict resolution. Sultan Raev, general secretary of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), highlighted the importance of strong cultural ties among Turkic states in resolving crises.
In the digital realm, the ‘Transformation of Global Public Opinion in the Digital Communication Ecosystem’ panel examined the impact of digital platforms and AI. Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) Chair Mehmet Danis warned about algorithms shaping public opinion, stressing digital media literacy as a national security issue.
The summit also addressed a ‘Crisis of Legitimacy and Trust: Perceptions of the International Order,’ where speakers discussed institutional credibility and rising geopolitical tensions. Calls for UN reform and the need for open communication and justice were emphasized.
The panel on ‘The ‘New Normal’ in Global Governance: The Permanence of Crises’ addressed resilience and ongoing instability, with discussions on societal resilience and Trkiye’s role in crisis management. Jonathan Fowler from UNRWA highlighted concerns about disinformation and attacks on UN facilities.
Finally, panelists discussed climate diplomacy, energy transition, and strategic communication. The importance of accelerating climate action and managing the climate crisis as both an environmental and communication challenge was underlined. The need for communication efforts to bridge the gap between decisions and science was also emphasized.