Türkiye set to name ex-FM Sinirlioğlu for UN secretary-general race

Türkiye is expected to announce former Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioğlu, now OSCE secretary-general, as its candidate for UN secretary-general on Friday evening, after a Security Council straw poll on Thursday, Türkiye Today reported.

Türkiye is preparing to enter the race to lead the United Nations, with former Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioğlu expected to be announced as Ankara's candidate for secretary-general, Türkiye Today reported, citing Turkish sources.

The announcement is expected on Friday evening, after the Security Council holds its next informal straw poll on Thursday. An official described Thursday as "critical," saying Ankara wants to see how the council leans toward the other contenders before finalizing the bid.

A crowded, deadlocked race

Sinirlioğlu at the Security Council during his time as UN ambassador (file photo)

Six straw polls have been held so far without any candidate winning the backing of all five permanent members. Former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan has led the field, while International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi is seen as a strong contender. Sinirlioğlu would become the eighth candidate.

"We are not positioning ourselves against one or several candidates," the Turkish official said, arguing that the world is "bigger than five," a reference to the council's veto-wielding powers. The candidate of the United Arab Emirates has faced serious pushback over positions on crisis regions, the official added.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been calling leaders of Security Council member states ahead of the process, most recently French President Emmanuel Macron, telling him the next U.N. chief must have the vision and experience to make the organization "once again the center of multilateralism."

Veteran diplomat

Born in 1956 in the Black Sea city of Giresun, Sinirlioğlu twice served as undersecretary of Türkiye's Foreign Ministry and was interim foreign minister from August to November 2015. He was Türkiye's ambassador to the U.N. from 2016 to 2023 and has led the Vienna-based OSCE since December 2024.

A candidate needs at least nine votes in the 15-member Security Council and no veto from a permanent member before the 193-member General Assembly gives final approval. Diplomats have previously said a Turkish bid could face resistance from Greece, a current council member, and Israel. Secretary-General António Guterres's term ends Dec. 31.

Türkiye set to name ex-FM Sinirlioğlu for UN secretary-general race