Turkey to Turkey
The UN indicated that it updated the country’s official English name following a formal request from Ankara. The change took effect immediately after Turkish authorities submitted their appeal through diplomatic channels.
According to the UN Secretary General’s spokesperson, the Republic of Turkey has now been recognized as the Republic of Turkey in official communications. The shortened form used in international contexts will be Turkey rather than its former English rendering. The alphabetical position of Turkey in lists remains unchanged.
In remarks to Anadolu Agency, the secretary general’s spokesperson explained that a letter from Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu to Secretary General António Guterres requested the use of the name Turkey in international forums.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government stated that the move formed part of a broader effort to raise Turkey’s profile on the global stage. The presidency described the letter as a step toward registering Turkey’s name in foreign languages and with international bodies, reinforcing the country’s identity on the world stage.
Later comments from Ankara indicated that the Turkish Communications Agency had prepared groundwork to facilitate the name change, ensuring clarity in international usage.
Media reporting noted that the previous designation could cause misunderstandings when translated or read in English, particularly with the phrase Made in Turkey appearing on Turkish goods. The new standard requires that Turkey be used in all international forums and official documents that reference the country.
presidential decree
The name change took effect on December 3, 2021. President Erdoğan issued a decree that was logged in national records and is accessible through government channels. The president explained that the spelling change reflected a long-standing state tradition and the nation’s enduring values and culture, which Turkey aims to project on the world stage.
The decree stated that the name Turkey, which embodies the nation’s history and values, has been adopted as the flagship term for the country in both domestic and international media. Officials argued that the word Turkey best represents the country’s culture, civilization, and the core values of its people.
As part of the branding shift, the phrase Made in Turkey was to replace any earlier English renditions in export communications and product labeling, with the aim of ensuring consistent international recognition. The new designation was to be used across all areas of national and international engagement, including communications with other states and international institutions.