Erdogan criticises UN, calls for reform

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the United Nations has failed to fulfil its duty to preserve peace and called for Security Council reform in remarks delivered to the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. He criticised the UN's response to what he called "a genocidal mindset that can never get enough of killing", adding that "no one with a sense of humanity, mercy, or compassion, no one guided by justice and conscious[ness] can possibly remain indifferent to this picture". "This picture must be a shocking one for all of us and what it tells us is clear: The United Nations established 81 years ago to maintain international peace and security is no longer able to fulfil this mission, or more precisely it has been rendered unable to do so." "Those in Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan and other crises who have tied their hopes to the UN are deeply disappointed," he added. His speech was met with applause, including by the Palestinian officials in attendance; meanwhile, the Israeli delegation walked out. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the 81st United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York, on 22 September 2026 (Michael M. Santiago/AFP)