Erdogan calls for UN Security Council reform, end to veto privilege

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for extensive reforms to the United Nations Security Council, including the elimination of the power of veto held by its permanent members. In an article titled "The Quest for Global Justice in a Changing World" published by Bloomberg, Erdogan argued that the international system must better reflect today's global realities, citing recent crises such as pandemics, energy shocks, supply chain disruptions, and regional conflicts.

Erdogan stressed that global decision-making mechanisms need to adapt to current conditions as the UN Security Council still reflects a structure established after World War II. He emphasized the need for a more effective, fair, and accountable system of representation, advocating for broader participation in global decision-making. Erdogan highlighted Turkiye's belief that "the world is bigger than five," urging a more equitable distribution of responsibility within the international system.

The President has long advocated for UN reforms, frequently using the slogan "The world is bigger than five," which refers to his discontent with the Security Council's unrepresentative membership. He stressed that reform should go beyond simply adding new permanent members and should be based on the principle that no single country should have the permanent ability to block the will of the majority of the international community.