President Erdogan slams UN structure: World cannot be left to 5 nations

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a pointed critique of the United Nations system during his address at the TRT World Forum in Istanbul. He called for significant reforms to the organization, arguing that the existing structure, dominated by the five permanent members of the Security Council, is both outdated and unjust.

“The world cannot be left to the mercy of five nations,” Erdogan declared. He continued, “The conditions of World War II no longer apply. The fate of 194 countries cannot be dictated by just a handful of powers.”

Highlights of Erdogan’s remarks

• Global challenges, instability:
  Erdogan emphasized the widespread prevalence of conflicts, inequality and instability, citing crises in Gaza and Ukraine as stark evidence of the inadequacies of the current international order. “Humanity is at a critical juncture, with decisions being made today that will shape not only the next decade but also the future of generations to come,” he said.
• Call for U.N. reform:
  The president underscored the urgent need for structural changes in the U.N. “The current U.N. system is no longer viable. Reform is essential to ensure that all 194 member states have an equitable say in global governance,” he stated.
• Solidarity with Gaza, Lebanon:
  Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye‘s commitment to the Palestinian cause, describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a glaring failure of both international institutions and basic human decency. “Türkiye will not remain silent about the atrocities in Gaza, because their suffering is our own,” he said. He also highlighted Türkiye’s active role in providing aid to affected populations in both Gaza and Lebanon.
• Cease-fire advocacy:
  Calling for a lasting cease-fire in Gaza, he urged the international community to act swiftly. “The cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon must be made permanent, and a similar agreement must be established in Gaza to prevent further loss of innocent lives,” he said.

Interruption during speech

During his remarks, two individuals attempted to disrupt his address.

Responding firmly, he said, “Do not act as a mouthpiece for Zionist propaganda here. No matter how much you try to provoke, you will achieve nothing. The Zionist world knows exactly where Tayyip Erdogan stands.”

Protecting cultural, family values

Erdogan also criticized certain media productions for undermining traditional family structures. “Some TV shows glorify violence and target our conservative family values,” he said, reiterating his administration’s opposition to ideologies that harm societal unity, including, “LGBT movements.”

Support for Palestine

Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s steadfast support for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Concluding his speech, he reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to regional peace. “Türkiye’s actions are always aimed at fostering peace. We are ready to shoulder any burden necessary to achieve lasting stability,” he said.