President and AK Party Chairman
Erdoğan attended the Blockchain Istanbul Program organized by his party's Information and Communication Technologies Presidency at the Ord. Prof. Dr. Cemil Bilsel Conference Hall of Istanbul University.
President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stating that they are aware of the need to accelerate efforts on fiber infrastructure, said, "We will soon rapidly implement very important steps in this regard."
Erdoğan, who stated that the AK Party's signature will be under Turkey's digital transformation just like in every field, emphasized that traces of digital transformation can be seen behind every work and service they have brought to the country in the last 20 years.
Erdoğan, who expressed that while working to complete Turkey's century-old investment deficiencies, they did not neglect to establish a strong technological infrastructure in line with the spirit of the times, said, "Of course, technology is a field that has advanced very rapidly in the last century, and this speed has increased even more in recent periods. We must adapt to this speed. Otherwise, we cannot bring our country together with the goals of our 2053 vision. In addition to other developments, becoming a country that produces its own satellites, launches its own space program, develops its internet infrastructure, and expands e-government applications are indicators of these. We are moving a bit slowly on fiber infrastructure on the internet. We are aware that we need to accelerate it as well. InshaAllah, we will soon rapidly implement very important steps in this regard. Undoubtedly, at the root of the gains achieved in technology are research and expansion activities. Our Lord says to man, 'He has only what he has worked for.' The wisdom of this command can be seen most in the field of technology" he stated.
Erdoğan, who expressed that the decentralized recording and assurance opportunities provided by this technology, which has shown great development in the last 10 years, have the potential to fundamentally change the existing commercial system, noted that alternative business methods expressed by newly emerging concepts that ears are not yet accustomed to have begun to enter life more.
Erdoğan, who stated that a new phase has been entered in the process by securing digital contents and intellectual property evaluations through blockchain technology, said, "If we express it with an analogy, digital assets are the fuel of technology, blockchain is the means and vehicle of technology. The main feature that makes this technology's wide range of activities, extending from food supply chains to banks, from logistics operations to works of art, attractive is its fast, efficient, secure, and low-cost transaction capability. It is clear that we cannot ignore such a potential while preparing for the Turkey Century. Rather than being in the position of putting fuel in the digital asset depot, we want to be the country that uses this vehicle itself. Instead of trying to take place in virtual universes opened by others, we are after establishing our own universe. Our goal is to reach the position of designer, producer, leader, and followed rather than consumer in this field as well."
President Erdoğan: It is Our Duty to Make Preparations to Take Turkey Ahead of the Age in This Field as Well as Other Matters
Erdoğan, who conveyed that they assigned the National Electronic and Cryptology Research Institute under TÜBİTAK for blockchain technology studies by foreseeing these days, said, "Turkey's first laboratory in this field was also established there in 2016. A study related to cryptocurrency is being conducted under our Central Bank. Our other ministries are also closely following this technology regarding their own areas of responsibility. We are also closely monitoring the activities of our private sector in the field of blockchain technology. In the upcoming period, we will continue to implement new projects that will contribute to our country in this field with our public institutions, universities, and private sector. Our aim with this event we organized is to ensure that all administrative, technical, and strategic aspects of blockchain technology are discussed in a way that sheds light on our business sectors. Without fully knowing the opportunity we have in all its dimensions, we cannot evaluate opportunities and threats, and therefore we cannot take healthy steps towards creating the necessary infrastructure and making regulations. As the cyber world concept expands towards cyberspace, it is our duty to make preparations to take Turkey ahead of the age in this field as well as other matters," he stated.
Erdoğan said, "I advise our youth to turn to more abundant avenues by participating in the development of innovations like blockchain technology instead of engaging in baseless cryptocurrency gambles."
The program was also attended by Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan and Information Technologies and Communication Authority President Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu.