Turkey is a candidate for the United Nations Security Council for the term 2009-2010
 

Turkey is a candidate for one of the non-permanent seats allocated to the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) at the United Nations Security Council for the term 2009-2010, for which the elections will be held during the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly, in 2008.

Turkey’s pursuit of membership in the Council is based on its unwavering commitment to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. She resolutely follows her founder Atatürk’s dictum “peace at home, peace in the world”.

As a founding member of the UN, Turkey has a record of staunch and dedicated participation in a wide spectrum of UN activities.

Turkey has actively contributed to the efforts to preserve peace and stability at the regional and global levels. In this respect, Turkey has provided troops, civilian police officers and observers to international peacekeeping missions in Asia, Africa, Latin Amerika, the Balkans, The Caucasus and the Middle East.

Besides her active involvement in UN peacekeeping missions as well as related activities of NATO, the European Union and the OSCE, Turkey takes part in many forums fostering international cooperation and, through various initiatives, plays a key stabilizing role in her region.

Turkey is also a global provider of significant humanitarian and technical aid. In 2005, Turkey provided funds and equipment worth more than 232 million USD to 25 countries in different continents, excluding the aid provided by the Turkish Red Crescent and other NGOs. Turkey also actively participates in international efforts to help eradicate poverty. Turkish Official Development Aid in 2005 reached the level of 601 million USD, 0.17 % of her GNP. It is worth noting that Turkey has become an “emerging donor” in Africa.

In addition, Turkey is increasing its voluntary contributions to the UN funds, programs and affiliated organizations. In 2005, these contributions amounted to 27 million USD in total.

Turkey furthermore makes every effort to contribute to social development in the fields of human rights, children’s issues and the promotion of the status of women. She is dedicated to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and achievement of sustainable development. To that end, Turkey is also committed to strongly cooperating with the UN member states in the areas set out in the “2005 World Summit Outcome”.

Turkey is aware of the importance of energy security and by virtue of her geographic location, is fast becoming an energy hub, connecting producers with consumers.

Turkey is also a leading country in the fight against terrorism, organized crime, trafficking in drugs and corruption.

Convinced that her own experiences can help in fostering understanding and dialogue among different societies, Turkey is also one of the co-chairs of the Alliance of Civilizations Initiative launched under the auspices of the UN Secretary General.

These contributions to the maintenance of international peace and security, her provision of development and humanitarian aid, and her regional role as a bulwark of stability all make Turkey amply qualified to serve in the Council.

In view of the fact that Turkey has not held a seat in the Security Council since 1961, she now wishes to play her assets and her experience at the service of the world community by becoming a non-permanent member of the UNSC, and hopes for the valuable support of all UN member states’ governments for her candidacy.