Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Erdogan Calls for UN Security Council Overhaul, Veto Abolition
Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to change how the United Nations Security Council works.
The council currently has five permanent members with special veto powers.
A veto can stop a council decision even if most other countries support it.
Erdogan says this gives too much power to too few countries.
He wants all council members to be elected by the General Assembly for set periods.
He also wants the General Assembly to have more authority.
Erdogan believes regions such as Asia and Africa should have a stronger voice.
He says global problems such as wars, pandemics and climate change need wider cooperation.
Turkey says it will support efforts to reform the international system.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for abolishing the veto power of the five permanent Security Council members.
He proposed replacing permanent seats with countries elected by the United Nations General Assembly for fixed terms.
Erdogan said the current structure reflects the power balance that emerged after World War II.
He argued that Asia, Africa and developing countries need greater representation in global decision-making.
He also called for stronger General Assembly authority and fairer access to development financing for poorer countries.
- Who
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposed reforms to the United Nations Security Council.
- What
- He called for abolishing permanent membership and veto powers, electing council members for fixed terms, and strengthening the General Assembly.
- When
- September 22, 2026.
- Where
- The proposal was reported from New York.
- Why
- Erdogan said the current structure is outdated, concentrates power among five countries, and does not adequately represent changing global power or regional interests.
- Current permanent members
- China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States
- Proposed membership system
- Countries would be elected by the United Nations General Assembly for fixed terms.
- Proposed veto policy
- The veto power held by the five permanent members would be abolished.
- General Assembly role
- Erdogan called for greater authority and stronger accountability for the Security Council before the General Assembly.
- Main slogan
- Erdogan reiterated that “the world is bigger than five.”
- Regions seeking greater representation
- Asia, Africa and Latin America were identified as regions needing broader representation.
- Turkey's position
- Turkey said it would use its international relationships and multilateral diplomacy experience to support reform efforts.