Turkey in the UN Funding System: A Comparative Analysis with the BRICS Countries (2010–2013)

Abstract

This chapter seeks to locate Turkey in the UN funding system in comparison with its BRICS peers so as to investigate to which UN agencies and funds most specifically it has been contributing voluntary aid between 2010 and 2013. Drawing largely on UN data, this study tests Turkey’s financial contribution to the UN system as compared to its BRICS peers with the help of an integrated methodology using Global Governance Contribution Index (GGCI) and Voluntary Financial Contribution Data. One of the main findings of the chapter is that given Turkey’s funding behaviours in the UN system, Turkey cannot be considered an effective multilateral funding actor among the rising powers. Turkey is ranked as the lowest contributing country in terms of financial contribution compared to the five BRICS countries. Turkey shows a relatively better performance in the categories of global health and poverty and humanitarian relief, which have emerged as niche diplomacy areas during the last decade. In the final analysis, the chapter concludes that a more comprehensive policy and academic understanding are needed, and more efforts should be devoted to providing a detailed picture of the role of rising actors, including Turkey, in the UN funding system.