Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, delivered a speech titled 'Risks and Opportunities in Food Supply in the Century of Crises' at the '4th International Food Chemistry Congress'.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak emphasized that the global climate crisis can not only create food shocks but also trigger international migrations, lead to water crises, and cause large population movements. He stated, 'Turkey is also among the land areas that will be most affected by the climate crisis.'
Stating that another effect of the climate crisis is the emergence of new trade routes, Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak said, 'The North Sea has started to gain a significant logistical advantage.'
Prof. Dr. Kaynak: 'For Turkey to protect itself distinctly from others, to become a self-sufficient country, securing its own food safety as it was in our childhood, is also a strategic security choice.'
The '4th International Food Chemistry Congress,' organized this year with the theme 'Sustainability in Food Production' in cooperation with Üsküdar Üniversitesi, Yıldız Technical University, and the Chemists Association, and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, was held at the Juju Premier Palace Hotel in Antalya/Kemer between May 8-11, 2025.
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, who was the keynote speaker in the special session held within the scope of the congress, delivered a speech titled 'Risks and Opportunities in Food Supply in the Century of Crises'.
Starting his speech by saying, 'Whatever we talk about, we bring the subject to our own field, the field of politics,' Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that politics is connected to everything and that world politics has become a noteworthy and important factor for everyone.
The 21st century is a "century of crises"
Stating that the 21st century is a 'century of crises,' Prof. Dr. Kaynak noted that as the 21st century began, there was concern about computer systems potentially collapsing, known as the 'Y2K syndrome,' but this did not happen. He emphasized that the optimistic picture painted at the United Nations summit quickly dissipated with the September 11 attacks.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that this attack led to a serious shift in global security perceptions and directed states' resources towards military spending. He noted that defense expenditures increased from 750 billion dollars to 2.5 trillion dollars, oil prices reached record levels, and an atmosphere of fear emerged. At the same time, he pointed out that the Islamic world was positioned as the 'other,' fulfilling the need for an enemy.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak indicated that the second major crisis was the 2008-2009 economic crisis, which led to the state re-entering the system as an economic actor, with company CEOs becoming appointable by states. He highlighted that the third crisis was the health crisis that emerged as a pandemic, which solidified the state's biopolitical power over individuals, controlling their lives through measures such as mandatory vaccination and travel restrictions.
Money spent on mental illnesses reached 5 trillion dollars as of 2024
Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that these three global crises shaped the 21st-century world by creating an environment of fear, anxiety, and extreme securitization. He noted that in addition to defense expenditures, the money spent on mental illnesses reached 5 trillion dollars as of 2024, and this figure is expected to rise to 16 trillion dollars by 2030. Prof. Dr. Kaynak said, 'This is a factor indicating that there are certain projects concerning us, and that something will be done to us. Will our fears increase, will our anxieties increase? We will see in the coming periods.'"
A global cyber attack could have serious consequences
Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that three major global crises were encountered in the first 25 years of the 21st century, and while the origin of a fourth crisis is uncertain, cyberspace could be a potential source. Prof. Dr. Kaynak emphasized that a global cyber attack targeting digital assets linked to cryptocurrency markets and cloud systems could have serious consequences, stating that such an attack could paralyze every stage of the food sector, from agricultural production to logistics, manufacturing to retail.
Reminding that even short-term power outages in Spain and Portugal caused trillions of dollars in damage, Prof. Dr. Kaynak said that the large value in cryptocurrency markets is also in an insecure environment against cyber attacks.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that another potential crisis area is the anxieties, concerns, and large mass movements that can be created in the social media environment. He reminded that the Arab Spring was a 'Twitter revolution,' emphasizing that platforms like X can be used for political purposes, and masses can be manipulated with bot accounts and fake news.
Politicization of food and trade sanctions
Prof. Dr. Kaynak emphasized that the issue of food is vital and a topic that can be politicized instantly. He stated that when relations between countries deteriorate, food products can be used as a tool for sanctions.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak said, 'For example, they say, 'I'm not buying your tomatoes.' If you have a problem with Russia, they say, 'I'm not buying them.' They invent something like, 'It had pesticides in it,' for example.' He noted that the underlying reason for such situations is usually not a genuine health risk, but rather an aim to create political pressure, where products from a country intended to be supported are purchased even if harmful, while products from an opposing country are not purchased to inflict economic damage.
Climate crisis as another important crisis area…
Drawing attention to the climate crisis as another important crisis area, Prof. Dr. Kaynak reminded that major food crises in history were linked to climatic changes. He noted that the period of climatic cooling in Europe between 1600-1750 led to major famines. Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that today, issues such as certain regions being submerged, some products not being cultivable due to climate change, soil poisoning, contamination, and drought could lead to serious food crises.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak emphasized that the global climate crisis can not only create food shocks but also trigger international migrations, lead to water crises, and cause large population movements. He stated, 'Turkey is also among the land areas that will be most affected by the climate crisis.'
Greenland's subsurface is rich in significant natural resources
Stating that another effect of the climate crisis is the emergence of new trade routes, Prof. Dr. Kaynak emphasized that the world's eyes are on the Arctic region and continued:
"Greenland is a massive region, approximately 2.5 times the size of Turkey in terms of area. So why is it so important? Because today, the world's largest energy reserves are now located in these regions. Greenland's subsurface is rich in significant natural resources. Moreover, due to the climate crisis, glaciers are rapidly melting, revealing pristine, arable areas that have never seen chemicals before. For instance, Siberia has started to become cultivable. The North Sea, on the other hand, has begun to gain a significant logistical advantage. This is because the world's polar region is inherently a narrow area; this makes travel and transportation from the north much shorter and more economical. All the major trade routes we currently use are in the south and spread over longer distances. However, as we move north, these distances shorten, and a large logistical capacity emerges. The climate crisis appears to be creating a major transformation not only in environmental impacts but also in energy resources and global trade routes."
A large part of today's conflicts is related to the reshaping of trade corridors
Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that another important issue regarding food is trade corridors and the competition among them, and that a large part of today's conflicts is closely related to the reshaping of trade corridors.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that the emerging trade corridors today aim to open new areas against embargoes, and that the AYMEK (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) agreement, signed in 2023, is a game-changing factor. He explained that this corridor will extend from Mumbai, through Dubai, across the Arabian Peninsula, from Haifa Port in Israel to Piraeus. Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that Cyprus is located on the route, and this situation poses risks for Turkey.
Beyond the AYMEK corridor, Prof. Dr. Kaynak pointed out that another important route, known as the southern corridor, which transports commercial products from China and India via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, also passes off the coast of Gaza. He drew attention to the effects of geopolitical developments in the region on food supply.
The Gaza region is intended to be transformed into an international port
Prof. Dr. Kaynak emphasized that the security of global food supply is at the center of today's geopolitical developments and competition over trade corridors. He stated that the desire to transform the region into an international port lies beneath the Gaza issue becoming an international problem.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that Donald Trump viewed the world like a real estate market and saw Gaza as 'a very beautiful piece of real estate.' He cited America's purchase of Alaska and Louisiana as examples, saying that the West views land as private property and a monetary value.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak explained that Gaza is not being left to Israel but is being attempted to be turned into an open port under international administration, and that a different structure is desired to be formed by diluting the population in the region. He said, 'The main issue is opening a trade corridor. Nobody is really concerned about the people.'
Referring to the possibility of the PKK terrorist organization laying down arms, Prof. Dr. Kaynak said that this situation might be linked to the search for a new order in the Middle East. Reminding of Netanyahu's statement 'This is a new order operation' after the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that the region has entered a period where the role of non-state actors is diminishing, and state-to-state relations are coming to the forefront.
Turkey's opening of the Zangezur corridor
Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that Turkey is also trying to implement its middle corridor strategy by opening the Zangezur corridor, aiming to deliver trade from Azerbaijan and Turkic Republics to Europe via Turkey.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that relations between Azerbaijan and Israel put Turkey in a difficult balance regarding Gaza.
The grain corridor agreement made in 2022…
Prof. Dr. Kaynak emphasized that all trade corridors are vital for food security and the security of food supply. He stated that the Black Sea is one of the world's most important granaries, and Turkey has created a transit area for grain coming from this region. He added that the grain corridor agreement made in 2022 was very important for the world and brought President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the international forefront.
Global imbalances and potential risks in food supply
Prof. Dr. Kaynak stated that America is one of the world's important granaries and can easily produce and sell. He noted that in Africa, there are untapped resources, and countries like Sudan could actually be among the most fertile grain belts, but this potential cannot be utilized due to wars over resources.
Drawing attention to the concept of 'agroterrorism' as a significant risk for food security, Prof. Dr. Kaynak said that terrorist attacks targeting agricultural areas are possible.
344 million people worldwide live under the threat of hunger
Prof. Dr. Kaynak emphasized that preventing people's access to food is an attack on physical needs, which is the most fundamental level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. He stated that this situation also eliminates the need for security, severing all security veins required for being human.
Prof. Dr. Kaynak said, '344 million people worldwide live under the threat of hunger, approximately 2 million people are on the verge of starvation, and a significant portion of them are in Gaza. Even in Turkey, malnutrition is a serious problem. Approximately 60 percent of children in public schools do not eat breakfast, and nearly 10 percent go to bed without dinner. There is now what we call deep poverty in Turkey as well. People are being disciplined with hunger. Therefore, it is inevitable for us to bring the issue of food to the forefront.'"
Turkey's distinctive self-protection from other countries…
Prof. Dr. Kaynak, also touching upon the balance of power in international relations, emphasized that Turkey must pursue a careful balancing policy by stating, 'The American eagle cannot be trusted. One should not dance with the Russian bear, but if we get too close to the Chinese dragon, we will get burned.'
Prof. Dr. Kaynak concluded his words by saying, 'For Turkey to protect itself distinctly from others, to become a self-sufficient country, securing its own food safety as it was in our childhood, is also a strategic security choice.'
