UN must develop more effective ways to prevent conflicts: Turkish Deputy FM

Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ayse Berris Ekinci has called on the United Nations to develop more effective strategies to prevent conflicts and crises globally.

Speaking at a dialogue session during the U.N. Summit of the Future in New York, Ekinci highlighted Türkiye’s priorities in addressing global challenges and expressed the country’s continued support for U.N.-led initiatives.

Call for stronger international cooperation

Ekinci stressed the importance of cooperation between countries and international institutions, particularly in times of global change. However, she noted that organizations like the U.N. have been falling short, especially in addressing significant crises such as the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“The UN must develop more effective ways to prevent conflicts and crises,” Ekinci stated, emphasizing the need for the international community to take stronger action.

Türkiye’s global engagement

Ekinci underscored Türkiye’s commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at resolving conflicts and promoting sustainable development. She also emphasized the country’s sensitivity to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which remains a top priority for Turkish diplomacy.

Reforming the UN Security Council

Ekinci also touched on the need for reforms within the U.N., particularly the Security Council. “We must transform the Security Council into a more democratic, representative, transparent, effective, and accountable institution. The veto power should either be abolished or limited,” she said.

The deputy minister added that increasing the number of permanent members or countries with veto power would only exacerbate existing problems, suggesting that strengthening the U.N. through solidarity among member states is key to making the organization more effective.

Türkiye’s continued contributions

Ekinci reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to contributing to all constructive steps taken by the U.N., including those related to sustainable development and conflict resolution. She reiterated that Türkiye will continue to play an active role in addressing global issues through the U.N. framework.

The U.N. Summit of the Future, which began on Sept. 22 in New York, is expected to host around 130 heads of state and government.