The United Nations at 80: Türkiye’s Enduring Support for Multilateralism Highlighted at High-Level Panel

The United Nations in Türkiye convened a high-level panel discussion titled “The United Nations at 80: How Türkiye’s Support for the UN and Multilateralism Advances Global Peace and Development” to mark the 80th anniversary of the Organization and reaffirm Türkiye’s commitment to global cooperation and sustainable development.

The panel moderated by Yasser Hassan, Director of the ILO Office for Türkiye featured Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, UN Resident Coordinator in Türkiye; Ambassador Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Rahman Nurdun, Vice President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA); and Ms. Hilal Gedik, Youth Representative and President of the Capital Youth Assembly.

The event brought together nearly 200 participants, including senior representatives from the Government of Türkiye, the diplomatic community, international institutions, academia, the private sector, UN Country Team members, UN staff, civil society, and youth.

The panel aimed to reflect on the enduring relevance of the United Nations at 80, examine how renewed commitment to multilateralism can address emerging global challenges, and showcase examples of successful cooperation between Türkiye and the UN. It also provided a platform for youth voices and new perspectives on the future of global cooperation.

Opening the event, UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi recalled the founding moment of the United Nations:

“Eighty years ago, in a world scarred by war, leaders made a choice: cooperation over chaos, law over lawlessness, peace over conflict. That choice gave birth to the United Nations—not as a dream of perfection, but as a strategy for survival.”

Dr. Ahonsi underlined that the UN, at its best, is “a bridge connecting people, ideas, and generations in pursuit of common goals,” adding that the commemoration of UN80 is both a celebration of past achievements and a moment to renew the Organization’s promise for future generations.

He highlighted Türkiye’s role as a founding member of the UN and a strong supporter of multilateralism since 1945. From hosting the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries to its leadership in humanitarian response and regional peace efforts, Türkiye continues to exemplify how international cooperation translates into tangible progress.

The discussion, focused on how renewed global solidarity can help address today’s crises — from conflicts and climate change to technological disruption and inequality. Moderator of the panel Hassan, highlighted the continued importance of collective action in addressing global challenges. 

“If we put things together, there seems to be a meaningful answer,” said Hassan. “The question is whether multilateralism and international cooperation are the preferred options for addressing the global challenges ahead of us. The answer is yes.”

Ambassador Levent Gümrükçü, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Türkiye’s long-standing commitment to the United Nations and multilateralism as central pillars of its foreign policy. He noted that the UN, as the most inclusive and legitimate platform for global dialogue, continues to play a vital role in addressing today’s complex and interconnected challenges.

Ambassador Gümrükçü underlined that Türkiye’s approach to foreign policy has always been grounded in dialogue, cooperation, and respect for international law — principles that lie at the heart of the UN Charter. He pointed out that global crises such as climate change, food insecurity, and humanitarian emergencies demonstrate that no country can act alone and that strengthening multilateral institutions remains essential for collective progress.

“Türkiye believes that global challenges require global solutions,” he said. “Our partnership with the United Nations is built on this understanding. From peacekeeping to humanitarian aid, from sustainable development to disaster response, we see the United Nations as an indispensable partner. We will continue to strengthen our cooperation for the benefit of all.”

He also emphasized Türkiye’s active role in UN processes, including its contributions to peace operations, humanitarian diplomacy, and international development efforts, noting that Türkiye’s engagement reflects both its global responsibility and its commitment to building a more peaceful and equitable world.

Dr. Rahman Nurdun, Vice President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), highlighted the importance of international partnerships in achieving sustainable development. He noted that Türkiye, through its development cooperation efforts and humanitarian initiatives, works closely with the UN system to support communities in need across different regions.

“Through solidarity and practical cooperation, we can make development more inclusive and leave no one behind,” Dr. Nurdun added.

Representing the voice of youth, Hilal Gedik, President of the Capital Youth Assembly, called for stronger youth participation in global decision-making.

“Today’s young people are not just future leaders—they are active changemakers. We want to contribute to shaping a fairer, more sustainable and peaceful world, together with the United Nations,” she said.

During the panel Dr. Ahonsi also spoke about the UN80 initiative, a system-wide reform effort launched by the UN Secretary-General to make the Organization more agile, effective, and accountable in responding to global challenges. He emphasized that at a time when the world is undergoing rapid transformations and questions about the relevance of multilateral institutions are on the rise, this initiative seeks to renew trust in the United Nations and strengthen its capacity to deliver for people everywhere.

“There are already concrete proposals on the table to turn today’s crises into opportunities — to ensure that the UN works better for the peoples of the world,” he said.

Highlighting the UN’s role in tackling major global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and food market stability, Dr. Ahonsi underlined that the success of these reform efforts depends greatly on the active engagement and leadership of Member States.

“Countries like Türkiye play a crucial role in ensuring that the reform agenda delivers real impact,” he added, expressing his appreciation for the participation of young people in the discussion as “a vital sign of hope and renewal” for the future of multilateralism.

The event concluded with a shared message of hope and determination to carry forward the spirit of multilateralism that has defined the UN for the past 80 years.

As Secretary-General António Guterres reminded in his UN Day message: “Now, more than ever, the world must recommit to solving problems no nation can solve alone. On this UN Day, let’s stand together and fulfil the extraordinary promise of our United Nations. Let’s show the world what is possible when ‘we the peoples’ choose to act as one.”