Turkish parliament speaker says UN ineffective, global institutions have collapsed

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus delivered a sharp critique of the United Nations on Wednesday, stating that global institutions have collapsed and failed to address conflicts around the world. Speaking at an event titled “Türkiye in a Changing World: A Partner, a Balancer, a Strategic Actor,” hosted by the Finland-Türkiye Interparliamentary Friendship Group, Kurtulmus said the global order is facing a profound institutional crisis. “The institutions of the world system have collapsed,” he said. He argued that the UN, established to prevent conflicts, has failed to fulfill its mission. “To put it plainly, the United Nations means little more than an office in New York,” he stated.

UN ‘no different from a cafe’

Recalling remarks he made at an earlier meeting in Türkiye, Kurtulmus added: “Unfortunately, the United Nations is no different from a cafe in New York. It has no influence, cannot resolve any conflict, cannot stop any aggression, cannot tell any criminal that they are guilty, and remains in a state of helplessness.” His comments come amid ongoing global crises, including the US-Israeli war on Iran, Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the war in Ukraine, where the UN has struggled to mediate ceasefires.

Türkiye’s position

Kurtulmus’s critique aligns with Türkiye’s long-standing call for UN reform, including the expansion of the Security Council and a revision of veto powers. Ankara has been particularly critical of the UN’s inability to stop Israeli operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Turkey has also criticized the UN for failing to enforce its own resolutions on Cyprus and the status of Jerusalem. While Türkiye remains a UN member and contributes to peacekeeping missions, its leadership has increasingly argued that the organization is outdated and ineffective.