Erdogan Outlines Türkiye's Foreign Policy Priorities at UN in New York Turkish President Erdogan outlined Türkiye's positions on UN reform, the Gaza crisis, the Strait of Hormuz, Black Sea security and US defence cooperation during remarks in New York. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan set out Türkiye's approach to regional crises, global diplomacy and key foreign policy priorities during wide-ranging remarks to journalists at Turkevi in New York on Wednesday. Speaking after delivering his 16th speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Erdogan addressed UN reform, the Gaza crisis, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, Black Sea security and Türkiye-US defence cooperation. UN Reform and Global RepresentationErdogan said the United Nations system needed to become more representative and criticised the veto power held by its five permanent members. He argued that it was impossible for an unjust structure in which the will of more than 190 countries is constrained by five countries to maintain global stability and peace.The issue, he said, was not simply about Türkiye having a greater say, but about Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Muslim world, Europe and all other regions being fairly represented through their own experiences and their own will.He called for the abolition of the veto mechanism and a move away from a United Nations model that protects only five members towards a mechanism that embraces all members. The new structure, he said, should be fairer, with elected members serving for defined periods and those seeking re-election having to regain the confidence of the international community.Erdogan also called for a stronger General Assembly and said that if UN reform had been carried out in earlier years, preventing conflicts and wars seen today would not have been beyond reach. He noted that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had been unable to attend the United Nations for two consecutive years, describing this as an indication of how deeply injustice has become entrenched in the international system.Reflecting on his long journey from his first speech to the UN General Assembly to his latest address, Erdogan said he had always stood on the right side of history. He cited developments in Syria, Iraq, the Russia-Ukraine war, Africa, Myanmar and most recently Gaza as having repeatedly demonstrated the truth of what he had been saying.Strait of Hormuz and Energy SecurityTurning to the Strait of Hormuz, Erdogan said ship traffic through the strait was declining sharply. He said the steep fall in the number of vessels passing through the region showed that the crisis was no longer just an issue concerning Iran, but had become a global energy and trade issue.Erdogan reiterated Türkiye's opposition to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and called for a return to negotiations between Iran and the United States. He made clear that Türkiye's position on the matter has been stated very clearly.Black Sea Grain Corridor and Defence CooperationErdogan said Ankara was stepping up diplomatic efforts to revive the Black Sea grain corridor. On defence cooperation with the United States, he said Türkiye expected Washington to take concrete steps towards its return to the F-35 programme.At the same time, he stressed that Ankara would continue developing its domestic defence capabilities, including the KAAN fighter jet.Terror-Free Türkiye Process and Regional RelationsDuring his remarks, Erdogan also discussed the Terror-Free Türkiye process, Türkiye's relations with Iraq and Greece, and the Development Road Project. He addressed climate change and Türkiye's preparations to host the COP31 climate summit in Antalya.The wide-ranging briefing covered Türkiye's positions on multiple regional and international issues, underscoring Ankara's active diplomatic engagement across the Middle East, the Black Sea region and beyond.