President Erdoğan calls for abolishing veto power in UN Security Council — Anadolu Agency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, including the abolition of the veto power held by its permanent members. This was reported by Anadolu Agency, citing an article by the Turkish leader for Bloomberg.

Abolition of veto power

Erdoğan stated that the current structure of the Security Council reflects the world order formed after World War II and needs to be updated in line with modern realities. In his view, addressing global challenges should not depend on the decisions of only a few capitals.

The Turkish president stressed that the need for reform must be turned into a concrete action plan, with the elimination of the veto privilege at its center. He believes that adding new permanent members would not eliminate the concentration of authority in the hands of a limited number of states.

Erdoğan also reiterated the Turkish slogan that the world is bigger than five. It refers to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council that have veto power: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China.

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More powers for the General Assembly

Under Erdoğan's proposal, the Security Council should not have permanent members. Its composition should be elected by members of the UN General Assembly for fixed terms, while states seeking re-election would have to again secure the support of a majority in the General Assembly.

He called for strengthening the powers of the General Assembly and the Security Council's accountability to it. According to the Turkish president, the future international order cannot be built on preserving the hierarchies of the past.

Changing global balance

Erdoğan noted that over the past quarter-century, new centers of power have emerged in the economy, security, technology, and diplomacy, while international institutions have not adapted to these changes at the same pace. He also drew attention to Asia's growing economic weight and African countries' desire for broader representation.

The Turkish president stated the need for a fairer distribution of responsibility in the global system, ensuring developing countries' right to development and access to financing. According to him, Turkey will support the abolition of veto power and strengthening the role of elected members of the Security Council and the UN General Assembly.