Turkish president calls for more inclusive UN Security Council on organization's 81st anniversary

By Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday called for reforms to make the UN Security Council more just and inclusive, stressing the need to strengthen the organization's ability to address global crises.

In a message marking UN Day and the 81st anniversary of the organization's founding, shared by Türkiye's Communications Directorate on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Erdogan said the UN's founding mission remains increasingly important amid global 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 cited ongoing wars, humanitarian disasters, climate change, hunger, poverty, racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia as challenges demonstrating the continued importance of the UN.

He said the organization, established after two world wars to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war," has assumed significant responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security and promoting development and prosperity.

Referring to Gaza, Erdogan said the deaths of more than 74,000 people in the "genocide," along with conflicts elsewhere, demonstrate the urgency of reform.

He called on countries to uphold the UN Charter more strongly and support reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness of the organization's principal bodies.

Erdogan also reaffirmed Türkiye's support for the UN80 Initiative launched by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

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

Congratulating UN personnel worldwide, Erdogan reiterated Türkiye's determination to support efforts toward a more effective and inclusive international system.