The United Nations has agreed to change Turkey’s name to  ‘Türkiye’, following a request from Ankara. 

On Wednesday, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said a letter had been received from Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu addressed to secretary-general Antonio Guterres, requesting the use of ‘Türkiye’ instead of Turkey for all affairs.

Al Jazeera reported that the UN recognised the name change from the moment the letter was received. 

The change affirms President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s endeavours to move from the internationally accepted name Turkey to ‘Türkiye’ (tur-key-YAY).

The country called itself ‘Türkiye’ in 1923 after it declared independence.

In December, Mr Erdogan ordered the use of ‘Türkiye’ to better illustrate Turkish culture and values, including mandating that “Made in Türkiye” be used instead of “Made in Turkey” on exported products.

Turkish ministries have begun using ‘Türkiye’ in official documents.

Mr Erdogan issued the circular explaining the decision aims to preserve the values that come from the deep-rooted history of the Turkish nation.

“The phrase Türkiye represents and expresses the culture, civilisation and values of the Turkish nation in the best way,” the circular said. “In this context, the phrase “Made in Türkiye” is now being used instead of “Made in Turkey” on our export products, which are the pride of our country in international trade.”

The Turkish presidency’s directorate of communications launched the campaign “to promote more effectively the use of ‘Türkiye’ as the country’s national and international name on international platforms.”

The move is seen as Ankara’s push to rebrand the nation and dissociate its name from the popular American Thanksgiving dinner bird, turkey, and other unfavourable connotations associated with the word.