The “10th Turkish Medical World Congress” was held in Istanbul by the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, the Ministry of Health and the Presidency of Turkish Health Institutes. Near East University Faculty of Law Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erdi Şafak represented Near East University at the congress, which was also attended by the Ministers of Health of the Republic of Turkey and the TRNC.

This year, the congress, which was held with the theme of “Health and the Future of Health in Disasters”, was attended by scientists and academicians from many countries around the world. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erdi Şafak represented Near East University and the TRNC in the “2024 TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Science, Service and Incentive Awards Program”.

Representatives from many ministries, embassies and public institutions also attended the congress, which was organized with the aim of addressing disaster response and post-disaster recovery processes. The opening speeches of the congress, which began with the reading of a letter from the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, were delivered by Minister of Health of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Kemal Memişoğlu, Minister of Health of the TRNC Dr. Hakan Dinçyürek, guest ministers and deputy ministers and TÜSEB President Prof. Dr. Ümit Kervan. The congress, where the “TÜSEB Aziz Sancar Science Award” was also delivered, continued with the screening of the video message of Nobel Prize-winning Turkish scientist Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar.

Representing the Near East University and the TRNC at the congress, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erdi Şafak presented a paper titled “International Disaster Law Project” within the context of “Studies to Determine Standards Regarding the Legal Rules to be Applied in Cases of Disasters in International Law”. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şafak, who addressed the importance of international law in disaster situations, emphasized the critical role of international cooperation and legal regulations in disaster management.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erdi Şafak: “Studies regarding applicable international law and standards in disaster situations will be beneficial for all of humanity.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erdi Şafak, who participated in the workshop titled “Politics, Law and Ethics” on the second day of the congress, stated that the development of international legal frameworks for reducing and improving the effects of disaster processes will be of critical importance in the future. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şafak, who stated that the current international legal frameworks have not yet reached a sufficient level, said; “The establishment of such laws is useful for several reasons. First, the state where the disaster occurs may have obligations under international law, such as providing assistance to people affected by the disaster during the disaster process or allowing international assistance in its country. Second, international legal regulations provide a guiding framework for humanitarian aid actors to accelerate operations when the local legal system is unclear, incomplete or in need of reform. Third, international standards can be used as a basis for advocacy or assistance for authorities in disaster-affected countries in developing or changing local laws and mechanisms.”

Also drawing attention to the fact that international cooperation is an important element supporting national efforts in struggling against disasters, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şafak stated that countries will be able to provide rapid and effective support to the population affected by disasters by improving their own domestic legislation in accordance with the “International Disaster Law Project Guidelines and Model Law”. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şafak finally said, “Studies on international law and standards applicable in disaster situations will be beneficial for all of humanity.”