The Global Journalists Council (KGK) held its 6th annual Global Awards ceremony in Alanya. The awards night, attended by over 300 journalists and guests from Türkiye and 32 other countries, honored successful individuals in the fields of journalism, media, diplomacy, sports, science, and art.

The 6th Global Media Meeting of the Global Journalists Council, which has representatives in 88 countries worldwide and 81 provinces of Türkiye, concluded in Alanya with a Global Awards ceremony. The final event of the international media meeting was attended by Kosovo's 6th President Vjosa Osmani, Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Fikrim Damka, Hatay Member of Parliament and AK Party Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yavuz Selim Kıran, New Party Antalya Member of Parliament Aykut Kaya, Alanya District Governor Şakir Öner Öztürk, Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik, veteran journalist and writer Yavuz Donat, the "Emperor of Turkish Football" Fatih Terim, former Minister of Culture of Kazakhstan and former President of TÜRKSOY Düsen Kaseinov, heads of institutions, representatives of political parties and civil society organizations, journalists from various countries, and representatives of the business world. 

'WE ARE THE WORLD'S MOST GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION'

The opening speech of the evening was given by KGK President Mehmet Ali Dim. Dim said in his speech:

“Distinguished members of the Global Journalists Council, today journalists from 32 countries have come to Alanya specifically for this event. We are proud to bring together journalists from a very wide geographical area, from Mexico to Russia, from Moldova to Switzerland, from England to Austria, from Syria to Egypt, from Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan, from Lebanon to Iran. On this occasion, I would like to once again welcome our guest journalists and colleagues, the valuable members of our council, the esteemed members of our global family, and the distinguished gentlemen and ladies of Alanya who have not left us alone. Thank you, and may you be well. Distinguished guests, the Global Journalists Council is a professional organization established as an international union by Presidential decree on October 14, 2019. Today, we have a strong international structure with representatives in all 81 provinces of Turkey and 88 countries of the world, with our headquarters in Ankara and an office in Istanbul. In different continents of the world and We have reached a point where we can organize award ceremonies, exhibitions, events, and media gatherings in various geographies. In doing so, we operate entirely with our own resources, receiving no financial support from the public or the state. This is a source of great pride for us. We may not be the world's largest professional journalism organization, but I can confidently say that today we are the most global professional journalism organization in the world. The fact that we have representatives in 88 countries is the most important indicator of this. Our very valuable friend, AK Party Deputy Chairman Mr. Hüseyin Yayman, has not left us alone. He has always been by our side and always supported us. I express my gratitude to him. I would also like to make a special mention of the 6th President of Kosovo, Ms. Vjosa Osmani. She is a true friend of Turkey and the Turkish people. Kosovo is a sister republic, a sister state for us. We also have very strong ties with the Turkish community living there. Therefore, with the Global Diplomacy Award that we will present to our President, we will express our gratitude and thanks to him.

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Fikrim Damka is also a very valuable friend of ours who considers Türkiye almost his second home and is always with us at events in Türkiye. I would like to thank him as well. In closing, I would like to thank all our supporters and sponsors who contributed to the realization of this meeting. First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to Lonicera World Hotel, where we are currently located, and Eftelia Hotels, which hosted our guests, their esteemed owners Mr. Uğur Sipahioğlu and Mr. Mehmet Aydıncı, our carriers, TÜRSAB President Mr. Kerim Sarıkaya and ATM Group, and all our sponsors, both those present and those not present. They made our guests feel right at home. They made very valuable contributions to Alanya and this organization. For me, everything done for Alanya is precious. Because Alanya deserves the best of everything. We are truly in a beautiful place. Almost all of our guests who come here are fascinated by Alanya. Many want to settle in Alanya, buy a house here, and spend a part of their lives here. Even this thought is a great source of happiness and pride for us. Thank you all so much for your participation,” he said.

ÖZÇELİK: JOURNALISM IS A BRIDGE BETWEEN SOCIETIES.

Following Dim, Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik took the podium and began his speech by stating that the Global Media Meeting had become a tradition in its 6th year, adding the following: “Tonight, we have around 350 journalists from 32 countries. Their languages are different, their cultures are different, but we are all in these halls. I thank Mr. Mehmet Ali Dim and his team for their efforts. Distinguished guests, as far as I know, this year's theme is nature, history, media, and dialogue. When I look at these four words, I see Alanya within them. When we talk about history, I turn and look at our city. Under every stone, there is a trace of a civilization. Our shipyard, built 799 years ago, our Kızılkule (Red Tower), built 800 years ago, and our 6.5-7 kilometer long, solid walls, rarely seen elsewhere in the world, make Alanya a historical city. When we talk about nature, I see the geography where the Taurus Mountains meet the sea. This beauty is entrusted to me as the Mayor of Alanya and to our district governor, Mr. Şakir Öner Öztürk, for these days. I don't know when his transfer will be finalized, but I..." "My term as mayor will continue for another 2.5 years. After that, God willing. The climate crisis is on everyone's agenda, and raising awareness is in the hands of you journalists. The more you speak out, the more you talk about climate issues, the more world leaders will have to listen. When I say media, I don't need to say anything. There are 350 journalists here today. Bringing 350 journalists together is both an achievement and shows their unity and solidarity. We are in the age of artificial intelligence. Everything is progressing rapidly, but one thing remains unchanged: the pursuit of truth. Wars, conflicts, and humanitarian dramas are unfolding. In such times, your cameras become a window to the truth for the people. Your pens should be bullets that write the truth for the people. I greet all journalists who do not compromise on the truth with respect, and I kiss the hands of those older than me. Welcome, and thank you all."

DISTRICT GOVERNOR ÖZTÜRK EXPRESSES GRATITUDE TO KGK AND DİM.

Speaking at the ceremony, Alanya District Governor Şakir Öner Öztürk said, “Today, as every year, we are together at the Global Journalists Council award ceremony. I am very happy to be with the press workers, our journalists, and our press members on this beautiful day and this beautiful night. Welcome to Alanya. I especially thank the President of the Global Journalists Council. He has a very large team working alongside him in this organization, bringing us together with you, our valuable guests, our very valuable press members, media members, and press workers. First and foremost, his very valuable wife. I thank all of his team who worked hard with him. I congratulate those who contributed. Again, we have very valuable journalists among us today. First and foremost, our esteemed colleague Yavuz Donat, a doyen of the profession who has dedicated his life to this nation, this country, this homeland. Also, Mr. Coşkun Aral, a very valuable photojournalist and documentary filmmaker who has represented our country in a well-known position in our country and the world. Yazgülü..." "Ms. Aydoğan is with us again. I thank her. Welcome. I also welcome Mr. Nevzat Çiçek. There are many friends and elders here whose names I cannot mention. Also with us is Dusen Kaseinov, the former Minister of Culture of our friendly and brotherly country Kazakhstan, who served as the Secretary General of TURKSOY for 14 years. He recently received the Ali Shir Nevai Grand Prize from our President. I congratulate our Minister again. It is a great pleasure to see you all. And finally, I send our love and respect to Professor Fatih. He honored us with his presence. Thank you all. I congratulate the journalists who received awards. To those

who did not receive awards, I wish them success in their future lives and careers. It's great that you came, welcome, thank you for coming. Thank you, may you be well," he said. 

AYKUT KAYA EMPHASIZES COP31.

Aykut Kaya, the New Party's Antalya Member of Parliament, said in his speech, “I am delighted to be with you at this event organized by the Global Council of Journalists. Tomorrow, November 10th, is the 88th anniversary of the passing of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. On this occasion, I commemorate Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades with respect and gratitude. Today, we have guests from over 30 countries. We may come from different countries and cultures, but our common goal is to make this world a more peaceful and tranquil place.

Therefore, esteemed participants, COP 31 has begun in Antalya today. As a Member of Parliament for Antalya, I am extremely pleased about this.

I am very happy that such a large organization is being held in Antalya, in our country. As Members of Parliament for Antalya, we are ready to provide all the support we can to ensure the success of this great organization. On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this wonderful gathering today, especially the President of the Global Council of Journalists, Mehmet Ali Dim.” I present this. I also wholeheartedly congratulate all the award-winning participants,” he said.

YAYMAN: THESE TYPES OF STUDIES ARE VALUABLE AND IMPORTANT

AK Party Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman began his speech by offering condolences to the families of the workers who lost their lives in İzmir. Yayman stated, “As soon as possible, the necessary actions will be taken regarding those who are found to have been negligent or at fault, based on the investigation conducted by the ministry.”

Expressing his appreciation for the activities of the Global Journalists Council, Yayman pointed to the importance of cultural diplomacy, which is referred to in the literature as “soft power.” Highlighting the significance of guests from different countries coming together at the ceremony, Yayman said, “The spirit of unity and togetherness here is very important. Everyone who comes will return to their own country as an ambassador of peace.” Yayman noted that Turkey's hosting of COP31 and regional developments have increased the country's global importance, adding that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has become a central country.

Yayman noted: “Alongside the work done by the government, the work done by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the work done by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the work of the Global Journalists Council is valuable and important. We need to continue these kinds of soft power activities more to make the 21st century the Turkish century and to raise Türkiye above the level of modern civilization set by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.”

OSMANI: I AM A FAN OF EMPEROR FATIH TERIM 

The final speaker, Vjosa Osmani, the 6th President of Kosovo, expressed her pleasure at being awarded the Global Diplomacy Prize. Osmani stated that it was a great honor for her to be at the same ceremony as Fatih Terim, whom she admired and watched on television as a child. Emphasizing that diplomacy is not just about titles and protocols, Osmani said, “Diplomacy is about building bridges where others erect walls, finding common ground where differences seem insurmountable. Diplomacy is the power to persuade without imposing, to create impact without threatening, and to bring about change without using force.” Osmani stated that throughout history, journalists have not only reported events but also questioned those in power and exposed injustice, continuing: “During the war in Kosovo, international journalists played an extraordinary role. When our people faced genocide, displacement, and systematic persecution, courageous journalists went to the places where the suffering occurred, documented the atrocities, and carried the truth beyond Kosovo’s borders. By telling the truth, journalists helped save countless lives. They not only documented history but also contributed to changing the course of history, and we will never forget this.”

OSMANIYE RECEIVES GLOBAL DIPLOMACY AWARD

At the awards ceremony that followed, Vjosa Osmani, the 6th President of Kosovo and a friend of Turkey, received the Global Diplomacy Award plaque from Hüseyin Yayman, Deputy Chairman of the AK Party, for her diplomatic efforts and political achievements on behalf of her country and Turkey during her term in office.

TERIM RECEIVES GLOBAL SPORTS AWARD

Fatih Terim, the legendary Turkish football manager nicknamed "The Emperor," who has achieved worldwide fame with his national and international sporting successes, received the Global Sports Award. The award was presented to Terim by Vjosa Osmani, the 6th President of Kosovo. After receiving the plaque, Terim took the podium and began his speech with an anecdote about Kosovo's recognition process, continuing as follows:

“I thank Ms. Osmani for her kind words about me. In 2014, I was a good friend of Fadıl Vokrri, the then President of the Kosovo Football Federation. As the Turkish Football Federation, we were the first federation to recognize Kosovo and its national team. As fate would have it, we were in the same group at the 2016 World Cup. So, it seems I foresaw these days, and the lady also said beautiful things about it, thank you very much. I wholeheartedly congratulate all our friends, elders and juniors, who received awards. There was Savaş Çokduygulu in Adana. And now Mehmet Ali Dim from Alanya has been added to this. As long as these two are together, we will come here several times every year. That's how it looks.”

Terim then picked up a copy of the publication called Gazzete, which covers the journalist massacres in Gaza, and said, “May God bless those who made this publication. It's a very creative thing. Sensitivity and awareness are important.” Later, Terim invited veteran journalist Yavuz Donat to the stage, saying, "Yavuz abi is our doyen. His writings always enlighten us." Yavuz Donat thanked Terim, saying, "All Turkish people are proud of you."

DAMKA RECEIVES FRIENDSHIP AWARD 

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Fikrim Damka, a friend and supporter of Turkey, received the Global Friendship Award from Fatih Terim. In his speech, Damka thanked the council for the award and said, "I am honored to contribute to the institutionalized friendship and brotherhood between Turkey and Kosovo."

SPECIAL AWARD FOR DONAT

The Veli Altınkaya Special Award, given for the first time this year to commemorate the late founder of KGK, Veli Altınkaya, was presented to veteran journalist and writer Yavuz Donat.

Presenting the plaque to Donat, KGK President Mehmet Ali Dim said, “I remember our elder brother Veli with mercy and gratitude. My elder brother Yavuz was also a very good friend of our elder brother Veli.”

NEWSPAPER RECEIVES AWARD

Hayrunnisa Çiçek, who was awarded the Global Journalism Award for her work on the GAZZETE project covering the journalist massacres in Gaza, received her award from Savaş Çokduygulu, Vice President of the KGK (Turkish Journalists Association).

MEDIA AWARD GOES TO TRT AVAZ.

TRT AVAZ, which carries the voice of the Turkic world to the international arena, was awarded the Global Media Award. TRT editor Olgunay Köse accepted the award on behalf of General Coordinator Yücel Kılıçkaya.

HONORARY AWARD FOR 50 YEARS IN THE PROFESSION

At the ceremony, veteran journalists who have completed 50 years in journalism were honored. Coşkun Aral, Yazgülü Aldoğan, Ahmet Coşkunaydın, Yavuz Nufel, and Necati Günay, prominent figures in the Turkish press, were deemed worthy of the 50-Year Honor Award.

SCIENCE AND ARTS AWARDS

Sultanhan Zhussip, who stands out for his contributions to Turkish and Kazakh intellectual life, received the Global Science Award, while Kyrgyzstan's People's Artist Roza Amanova became the recipient of the Global Art Award.

OTHER AWARDS

Within the scope of the Global Awards, Ömer Alaettinoğlu, the creator and Chairman of the Board of the Kepler capsule hotel concept, received the Global Innovation Award. Yıldıray Karaer, Chairman of the Board of Corendon Airlines, which was founded in Antalya and expanded its flight network in Europe, was awarded the Global Brand Award. Levent Candan accepted the award on behalf of Karaer.

A plaque of appreciation for those who contributed.

In the final part of the evening, plaques of appreciation were presented to the politicians, representatives of public institutions, KGK executives, and business representatives who contributed to the organization of the event.

During the evening, plaques of appreciation were presented to AK Party Deputy Chairman and Hatay MP Hüseyin Yayman, Antalya MP Aykut Kaya, Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik, Alanya District Governor Şakir Öner Öztürk, and former TÜRKSOY Secretary General Düsen Kaseinov. Among the international participants, GJC Mexico Representative Huan Federico La Mont, KGK United Kingdom Representative Vatan Öz, KGK USA Representative Dilek Kaya, and KGK Advisory Board Chairman Prof. Dr. Levent Eraslan also received plaques of appreciation. Plaques of appreciation were also presented to business representatives who supported the organization: ALTSO President Mustafa Tuna, Eftelia Hotels Chairman Mehmet Aydıncı, Lonicera Hotels Chairman Uğur Sipahioğlu, AYTEMİZ Deputy General Manager Yakup Yazar, and ATM Group Board Member Serter Ceylan. Later in the evening, Klas Hotels Chairman Muzaffer Barcın, CK Group President Cuma Kadıoğlu, TÜRSAB President Kerim Sarıkaya, MİSA Group Board Member Emre Ülker, and MYLOME Hotel Board Member Mustafa Sert also received plaques of appreciation.