UN reform needed more than ever, must start with Security Council — Türkiye's mission

UN reform is more necessary than ever in the light of unprecedented crises in the world, it should start with the Security Council and can be achieved only through intergovernmental negotiations, Türkiye's permanent mission to the UN told TASS, Report informs.

"Türkiye wishes to see a more effective and relevant UN that can address the complex challenges of the 21st century. This is needed more than ever, especially in view of the unprecedented crises that the international system has been experiencing in recent years," the mission said in response to a request to comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement on the need to reform the Security Council.

"The reform must start with the Security Council, as the main organ of the UN to address peace and security challenges. [Turkish] President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has always been very vocal on this subject, by stressing that ‘the world is bigger than five [permanent UN Security Council member states]’," the diplomats said. "The need for reform cannot be denied, nor can it be deferred any longer. But it is important that consensus is reached among the wider membership," the mission emphasized. According to it, the reform "can only be achieved through the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process, the sole legitimate platform to handle this delicate matter."

Turkish diplomats also pointed out that the reform of the Security Council should consist of either abolishing the veto or limiting this mechanism. "Türkiye's main priorities on Security Council reform are as follows: a more democratic, representative, transparent, effective and accountable Security Council. Ideally the abolition of veto. If not possible, then, its limitation at best. Expansion in non-permanent membership category only, rotational seats based on regular elections to ensure fair, equitable and democratic representation," the mission emphasized.