ANKARA

The UN system must be reformed to deal with the current needs and threats the world is facing, Turkey’s president said on Thursday.

“Another point that the pandemic reminds us of is that the UN system must be reformed in light of today's threats and needs,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a video message sent to a special session of the UN General Assembly in response to COVID-19.

“I believe that the General Assembly should be strengthened to make the UN system more effective, democratic, fair, and transparent,” Erdogan said, saying he hopes the special session will give new momentum to the international community's fight against the virus.

Stressing that the pandemic is the greatest challenge to the international community in the 21st century, he said international cooperation and global solidarity are the keys to overcoming this difficult period.

“There are vulnerable groups all over the world that are particularly hit by this process,” he said, highlighting the importance of paying attention to the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, a frequent theme for the Turkish president.

With this awareness, we must place great importance on the protection of the rights of women, children, the elderly, and disabled people, he added.

Since first being detected in Wuhan, China last December, the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 1.49 million lives in 191 countries and regions.

More than 64.68 million cases have been reported worldwide, with more than 41.63 million recoveries, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.

While the US, India and Brazil remain the worst-hit countries in terms of the number of cases, Europe is in the grip of a devastating second wave of infections.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar