*ANKARA: *Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday thereform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which is committed tothe will of its five permanent members, is now a necessity rather than aneed.
Erdogan highlighted this point in a message on the occasion of the 74thanniversary of the founding of the UN.
The United Nations should be more fair, effective, transparent andefficient to meet today’s needs, he said in his message.
The UN Charter came into force on Oct 24, 1945, and is celebrated annuallyas United Nations Day. In 1971, the UN General Assembly recommended thatthe day be observed by member states as a public holiday.
The UN General Assembly, in which all member states are equallyrepresented, must be strengthened, Erdogan added.
Turkey, under the auspices of UN mediation, takes a leading role in manyactivities such as peacekeeping operations, counter-terrorism, humanitarianand development assistance, migration and refugees, he said.
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“One of our goals is to make Istanbul a UN center,” he said, adding to thatend, Turkey has taken important steps so far. As a result of these efforts,Istanbul became one of the regional centers of various UN agencies.
“On behalf of my country and my nation, I would like to express my thanksto everyone who made efforts for the peace, tranquility, stability andprosperity of humanity under the umbrella of the UN.”
The five permanent members of the Security Council are China, France,Russia, the UK and the US, Anadolu Agency has reported.
