Erdogan Demands UN Security Council Reform and Gaza Reconstruction

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye called for a fundamental restructuring of the United Nations during the 81st General Assembly in New York. He demanded the abolition of the veto power held by the five permanent members of the Security Council, arguing that the current system is unfair and incapable of maintaining global peace. Erdogan proposed replacing permanent memberships with fixed-term positions elected by the General Assembly, asserting that "the world is bigger than five."

Russia responded to these calls by supporting an expansion of permanent membership but explicitly rejecting the abolition of the veto, which the Kremlin described as an essential element of the UN structure.

During his address, Erdogan condemned the situation in Gaza, describing it as "the most inhumane and shameful concentration camp of our age." He accused Israel of maintaining a "genocidal mindset" and continuing airstrikes despite a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump in October 2025. Erdogan reported that 74,000 Palestinians have been killed over three years and urged the international community to recognize a sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 borders.

Erdogan further criticized the United States for denying a visa to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, noting his absence from the assembly for two consecutive years. He also called for the international recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and an end to the war in Ukraine while maintaining Ukraine's territorial integrity.