Turkiye nominates former foreign minister Feridun Sinirlioglu for next UN chief

Turkiye has formally nominated former foreign minister and longtime diplomat Feridun Sinirlioglu for the post of United Nations secretary-general, setting him up as a contender to succeed António Guterres, whose tenure is nearing its end.

The nomination was confirmed by Ahmet Yildiz, Turkiye's current representative to the UN, who told state-run Anadolu news agency that Sinirlioglu's candidature had been submitted with the backing of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The 70-year-old diplomat had indicated his interest in the position on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly's high-level meeting in New York last month.

Who is Feridun Sinirlioglu?

Sinirlioglu served as Turkiye's foreign minister for a few months in 2015, during an interim period between elections. He later represented the country at the United Nations from 2016 to 2023.

He currently heads the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as its secretary-general. His three-year term is due to end in December 2027. However, the next UN chief is scheduled to take office on January 1.

His candidature is also likely to bring Erdogan's push for reform of the UN Security Council into focus. The Turkish president has repeatedly criticised the influence wielded by the five permanent members of the council.

How will the next UN chief be selected?

The appointment will be decided through a process involving the 15-member UN Security Council, where the five permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France — hold veto powers. The 193-member General Assembly will have to give its final approval.

Sinirlioglu could face resistance from several countries, including neighbouring Greece, which is among the council's 10 elected members. Israel is also expected to oppose his candidature, according to the report.

UN faces pressure to reform

Guterres is completing his second five-year term as the organisation faces mounting challenges, including conflicts in Iran, Ukraine and Gaza, as well as a financial crisis that has forced cuts to humanitarian and development programmes.

Seven other candidates are also seeking the top post. Under the UN's informal regional rotation practice, the next secretary-general could come from Latin America and the Caribbean.