Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for comprehensive reform of the United Nations during an address to the General Assembly in New York, arguing that the organisation’s present structure is failing to protect international peace.

Erdoğan criticised the concentration of decision-making power in the five permanent members of the Security Council. He said the interests of more than 190 UN members should not remain dependent on the approval of a small group of states.

The Turkish leader also focused heavily on Gaza, describing the humanitarian situation there as intolerable and accusing the international community of failing to stop civilian suffering.

He expressed support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and said Abbas’s absence from the gathering reflected the wider injustices facing Palestinians in international diplomacy.

Erdoğan urged governments that have not recognised a Palestinian state to reconsider their positions. He argued that wider recognition could strengthen the diplomatic foundation for a two-state settlement.

Turkey has remained one of Israel’s strongest critics during the Gaza conflict. Ankara describes Israel’s campaign as genocide, an allegation rejected by the Israeli government.

The speech linked Turkey’s longstanding demand for UN reform with its Middle East policy, presenting both as tests of whether the international system can apply rules fairly and respond effectively to crises.

Source: Reuters.

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