Politics · Turkey · 1 hr ago
Türkiye nominates Feridun Sinirlioğlu for UN secretary-general
Türkiye has nominated Feridun Sinirlioğlu to become the next United Nations secretary-general.
Türkiye’s UN ambassador said the nomination letter was submitted to the president of the UN General Assembly.
Sinirlioğlu is currently secretary-general of the OSCE, a European security organisation.
He previously served as Türkiye’s foreign ministry undersecretary and as its permanent representative to the UN.
Türkiye said it had waited because of the convention that the next secretary-general should come from Latin America and the Caribbean.
It put Sinirlioğlu forward after no candidate had secured agreement, saying the move could help the UN’s process.
The nomination includes his résumé and a document setting out his vision, but no outcome of the selection was given.
Türkiye nominated Feridun Sinirlioğlu for the post of United Nations secretary-general.
Türkiye’s UN ambassador, Ahmet Yıldız, said the nomination letter was submitted to the president of the UN General Assembly.
Yıldız said President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan considered Sinirlioğlu’s qualifications, abilities and international experience in backing him.
Türkiye said it had waited because of the convention that the next secretary-general should come from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Sinirlioğlu is currently secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
- Who
- Türkiye nominated Feridun Sinirlioğlu. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan backed the nomination.
- What
- Türkiye submitted Sinirlioğlu’s candidacy for UN secretary-general.
- When
- The report was published on October 31, 2026.
- Where
- The nomination letter was submitted to the president of the UN General Assembly.
- Why
- Türkiye said no candidate had yet gained agreement and it wanted to help the UN process. It had also waited in respect of the convention that the next secretary-general should come from Latin America and the Caribbean.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sinirlioğlu served in Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry.
Sinirlioğlu served as Türkiye’s permanent representative to the UN.
Türkiye announced Sinirlioğlu’s nomination and said it had submitted the candidacy letter to the president of the UN General Assembly.
- Nominee
- Feridun Sinirlioğlu
- Post sought
- UN secretary-general
- Türkiye’s UN ambassador
- Ahmet Yıldız
- Current role
- Secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
- Foreign Ministry service
- August–November 2015
What people are saying
Our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, considered Ambassador Sinirlioğlu’s qualifications, abilities, international experience and the confidence he has in him, and deemed it appropriate to nominate him.
Since no agreed candidate has emerged so far in the race for UN secretary-general, Türkiye nominated Sinirlioğlu to facilitate the UN’s work.