New perspectives for the UN

Panel der Redner ©avusturyagundemi

A fairer world is possible – a topic that has been and remains timelessly relevant in its importance and scope across eras and generations.

On 10 February 2025, the Turkish Embassy in Vienna hosted a panel entitled ‘A fairer world is possible’, which featured high-ranking experts from various fields in a 4+1 format. The event in Vienna is the first in a series of 22 similar events organised by the local Turkish embassies in various countries. This form of ‘fact-finding mission’ will then have a large pool of internationally contributed ideas and facts that could ultimately be applied directly.

The opening speech was given by H.E. Levent Eler, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the United Nations in Vienna.

The following speakers were invited:

·         Dr Klaus Wölfer, former Austrian Ambassador to the Republic of Türkiye

·         Ass. Prof.Dr David Campbell, University of Vienna

·         Dr Harvey Dzodin, Vice President and Director Emeritus, ABC-TV Network

·         Hermann Kroiher, Secretary General UNCAV, United Nations Correspondents Association in Vienna

·         Ass.Prof. Dr.Emrah Aydemir, National Defense University, Ankara

 

The forum was moderated by Prof.Dr Giray Sadik from Yıldırım Beyazıt University Ankara

In their statements, all speakers emphasised the importance and necessity of a time-adapted format oft the future of UN that takes into account the current situation and position of those countries, which are qualified to make an application in the UN bodies. Although the timeless essential goals have not changed over time, the framework conditions for many member states have, because they feel entitled to have a say in the decision-making process due to the size of their population, their global economic importance and their military potential. The current provisions and the mechanism applied do not allow this, therefore such countries, including the Republic of Türkiye, feel that their interests are not being taken into account and are pushing for a new model of decision-making and co-determination.

In today’s global system, where multilateralism is losing ground and international organisations are struggling to find effective solutions to the problems of our time, the Republic of Turkey is also striving to build an inclusive, transparent and accountable multilateral system with its foreign policy in order to contribute to a fairer world.

Hermann Kroiher, Feb.2024