“We are working in close cooperation with the organisation toward our goal of making Istanbul a UN hub,” he said.

ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for reforms to make the United Nations Security Council more inclusive and representative, stressing the need to strengthen the organisation’s ability to address global crises.

In a message on Saturday marking UN Day and the 81st anniversary of the organisation’s founding, Erdogan said the United Nations’ original mission remained increasingly important amid growing international challenges.

“It has become particularly important to establish a more just and inclusive structure for the UN Security Council that can meet the expectations of the international community,” he said.

Erdogan Highlights Global Crises

Erdogan cited ongoing wars, humanitarian disasters, climate change, hunger, poverty, racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia as challenges underscoring the need for an effective international organisation.

He said the United Nations was established after two world wars to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” and had since assumed significant responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security while promoting development and prosperity.

Referring to Gaza, Erdogan said the deaths of more than 74,000 people, which he described in the context of genocide, alongside conflicts elsewhere, demonstrated the urgency of reforming the international system.

He urged countries to uphold the UN Charter more strongly and support changes aimed at improving the effectiveness of the organisation’s principal bodies.

Türkiye Supports UN80 Initiative

Erdogan also reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for the UN80 Initiative launched by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, which seeks to strengthen the organisation’s effectiveness.

“We are working in close cooperation with the organisation toward our goal of making Istanbul a UN hub,” he said.

Congratulating UN personnel serving around the world, Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to supporting efforts to build a more effective and inclusive international system.

His remarks renewed Türkiye’s call for changes to the UN Security Council’s structure as global conflicts and humanitarian crises continue to raise questions about the organisation’s ability to respond effectively.