Mr President,

We commend Slovenia for convening this important debate and welcome the contributions of former Secretary General Ban Ki Moon as well as Assoc. Prof. Dayal.

Mr President,

Eighty years ago, the founding members of the UN united around a common aspiration for lasting peace, collective security, and respect for human dignity.

In doing so, they established an institution that has helped steer the international community through periods of conflict and profound change.

The international norms and standards developed under the auspices of the UN continue to shape daily lives worldwide.

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of this indispensable institution, we are presented with a timely moment to renew our dedication to multilateralism, the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and to empower the key role of the UN Secretary General.

The scale and urgency of the challenges confronting us are undeniable.

The ongoing UN80 initiative is a clear reflection of this institutional resilience and of the collective willingness to reform.

We live in an era marked by unprecedent levels of armed conflicts, geopolitical divisions and rapid global change.

Erosion of international law, persistent poverty, climate change, and emerging threats to international peace and security demand decisive and collective responses.

These challenges underscore a simple truth: multilateralism is not merely an option, but a necessity for addressing immense global challenges.

There is no alternative to the United Nations. Yet multilateralism can only succeed if it is supported by principled leadership and collective responsibility.

The Secretary General embodies multilateralism and stands at the very heart of the UN system.

The process of reform will almost certainly extend well into the first term of the next Secretary General, placing exceptional responsibility on the top diplomat who will assume this office.

The selection of the Secretary General is a rare and consequential moment that will shape the credibility and effectiveness of the Organization for years to come.

The Secretary-General plays a pivotal role in advancing the three pillars of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights, and development.

The unique moral authority enables the Secretary General to advance the cause of peace, uphold international law, and give voice to the vulnerable whose voices would otherwise go unheard.

Taking this opportunity, we commend the principled humanitarian leadership of Secretary General Guterres from Gaza to Ukraine, Sudan and beyond, as reflected in his nomination for the Atatürk International Peace Award.

Mr President,

The Secretary General must never be perceived as merely another political actor.

The position requires the highest standards of competence, integrity, efficiency, and independence, as well as an unwavering commitment to the principles of the UN Charter.

The strength of the United Nations depends, to a large extent, on the quality of its leadership.

Equally important is the process by which this leader is chosen to safeguard multilateralism.

The selection of the Secretary General must be inclusive, transparent, and merit-based.

Since 2015, important steps have been taken to enhance openness and accountability, including interactive dialogues between candidates and Member States.

These gains must be preserved and further strengthened by both the General Assembly and the Security Council.

In this context, we once again stress the imperative of Security Council reform, as continued paralysis erodes the credibility and effectiveness of the United Nations as a whole.

Türkiye places high priority to strong, principled, and independent UN leadership, acting as a unifying and principled voice.

At a time when multilateralism is under severe strain, the United Nations needs a Secretary General who can demonstrate political courage, impartiality, and the ability to unite Member States around shared norms and principles.

Mr President,

A principled and competent Secretary General—supported by the Member States—can guide this Organization through reform, restore confidence in multilateral cooperation, and ensure that the United Nations remains faithful to its founding vision.

As a founding member with a longstanding tradition of mediation and bridge-building, Türkiye firmly believes in the strong UN leadership to enable diplomacy, good offices and preventive engagement as essential tools for peace.

Thank you.