Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin opened the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office of the UNFPA in Istanbul on Tuesday.

Speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony, Davutoglu said that they wanted to see the UN flag in Istanbul always.

"We want Istanbul to become a global city that contributes to the establishment of peace," Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu thanked Osotimehin for taking a decision to open an office in Istanbul and wished him success in his new position.

Dr. Osotimehin, in his part, said that Turkey was a very strategic country connecting the east with the west.

"I hope that we carry the headquarters of the UN to Istanbul one day," Osotimehin said.

"We will work so as to eradicate poverty in the world," Osotimehin also said.

UNFPA is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.

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