Hello 'Türkiye': UN approves Turkey's name change following official request

The UN has officially given the green light to Turkey on Thursday to change its name to "Türkiye", following a formal request from Ankara for the amendment.

UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said he had received a letter on Wednesday from Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu addressed to the Secretary General Antonio Guterres, requesting the use of "Türkiye" in all international affairs.

Türkiye is simply the word for Turkey in the Turkish language. The country has been known as Turkey in English since it was founded a century ago.

Dujarric told Turkish state news outlet Anadolu Agency that the country’s name change was enforced as soon as the letter, which was officially submitted on Tuesday, was obtained.

Other international bodies will also be asked to make the name change, following the UN’s approval.

"Together with our Directorate of Communications, we have been successful in preparing a good ground for this. We have made it possible for the UN and other international organisations, countries to see this change to using Türkiye," the top diplomat told Anadolu Agency.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan started to push for the country’s name change in December last year, after he released a memorandum and asked the public to call the country as such in every language.

"Türkiye is the best representation and expression of the Turkish people's culture, civilization, and values," Erdogan said in December.

State broadcasters such as TRT and Anadolu began using "Türkiye" soon after.

The president also asked for exported goods to bear the label "Made in Türkiye". In January this year, a tourism campaign with the slogan "Hello Türkiye" was released.