Türkiye

Wants new rules, not a treaty (REG-SOFT), since 2023-11-01, stated directly (EXPLICIT)

In its 2023 explanation of vote, Türkiye asked for priority to a code of conduct and confidence-building measures, and said a binding text without an agreed definition would not serve its purpose. In 2025 it said it supports efforts to develop standards for responsible use of autonomous weapons systems. In September 2026, joining consensus on the expert group's report, it said that work should not be a step toward a legally binding instrument, and that any outcome should be a framework rather than a source of new obligations. It abstained on all three UN resolutions.

Türkiye asks for priority to a code of conduct and confidence-building measures.

give priority to a code of conduct, confidence-building measures and mechanisms in order to create a conducive environment to move forward

General Assembly First Committee, 78th session, 28th meeting, official verbatim record (A/C.1/78/PV.28), 2023-11-01 source

Türkiye says a binding text without an agreed definition would not serve its purpose.

a legally binding document developed in the absence of an agreed definition would not serve its intended purpose and might be open to abuse

General Assembly First Committee, 78th session, 28th meeting, official verbatim record (A/C.1/78/PV.28), 2023-11-01 source

Türkiye's legal view - LAWS outside meaningful human control conflict with existing IHL.

lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS) that are not under meaningful human control are undesirable and are in conflict with international humanitarian law

General Assembly First Committee, 78th session, 28th meeting, official verbatim record (A/C.1/78/PV.28), 2023-11-01 source

Türkiye's legal view - existing law is sufficient to address concerns.

international law and international humanitarian law would be sufficient to alleviate concerns regarding the use of LAWS

General Assembly First Committee, 78th session, 28th meeting, official verbatim record (A/C.1/78/PV.28), 2023-11-01 source

Türkiye names the CCW as the right forum.

the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) is the right forum in which to address the matters related to emerging technologies and LAWS

General Assembly First Committee, 78th session, 28th meeting, official verbatim record (A/C.1/78/PV.28), 2023-11-01 source

Türkiye supports developing standards for responsible use of military AI and autonomous weapons systems.

We will continue to support efforts to develop standards for the responsible use of military AI and autonomous weapons systems.

Türkiye: Submission of views on the Opportunities and Challenges Posed to International Peace and Security by the Application of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (pursuant to UNGA resolution 79/239), 2025-04-25 source

Türkiye says the GGE's work should not be a step toward a legally binding instrument.

the Group's work should neither serve as a step towards nor constitute the basis for a legally binding instrument on lethal autonomous weapons systems

Türkiye's explanation of position on Report of 2024-2025-2026 sessions of the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons System (CCW/GGE.1/2026/WP.5), 2026-09-14 source

Türkiye wants any outcome to be a framework, not a source of new obligations.

any outcome document should retain the character of a framework capturing areas of convergence among States rather than a source of new international obligations

Türkiye's explanation of position on Report of 2024-2025-2026 sessions of the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons System (CCW/GGE.1/2026/WP.5), 2026-09-14 source

Türkiye prefers the CCW consensus process.

the discussions are most productively pursued within the framework of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, on the basis of consensus

Türkiye's explanation of position on Report of 2024-2025-2026 sessions of the Group of Governmental Experts on Emerging Technologies in the Area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons System (CCW/GGE.1/2026/WP.5), 2026-09-14 source

At the opening of the final GGE session, Türkiye calls the elements a non-binding reference.

We continue to view this set of elements as a technical, non-binding reference reflecting the current state of discussion among high contracting parties

CCW Group of Governmental Experts on LAWS 2026, second session, 1st meeting, automatic speech recognition transcript, 2026-08-31 source

Joint explanation of position on L.41, delivered by the United Kingdom on behalf of 15 states including Türkiye, keeps any negotiations in the CCW.

any future negotiations must take place within the framework of the CCW and must not prejudge the nature of their outcome

General Assembly First Committee, 80th session, 24th meeting, automatic speech recognition transcript, 2025-11-04 source