ISTANBUL / WASHINGTON D.C.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the UN has "great potential" and pledged to work closely with the world body to make it stronger, while positioning his Board of Peace as an oversight mechanism.

"The Board of Peace is going to almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly," he said at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington.

The US president said the UN needs support, promising American assistance to "strengthen" it. “We're going to be working with the United Nations very closely. We're going to bring them back."

He expressed optimism about the UN's long-term prospects.

"I think it's going to eventually live up to its potential," he said. "That'll be a big day."