Turkiye nominates veteran diplomat Sinirlioglu for role of UN chief

Turkiye nominates veteran diplomat Sinirlioglu for role of UN chief

Turkiye has nominated Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu, secretary general of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), to be the next United Nations chief, a diplomatic source confirmed on Saturday. The move came after a deadlock in the selection process, with the latest straw poll at the UN Security Council (UNSC) held on Friday returning an inconclusive outcome. Sinirlioglu serves in the OSCE, which describes itself as the world’s “largest regional security organisation” with 57 members. Contacted by AFP, the Turkish diplomatic source confirmed that the nomination letter dated Oct 30 from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was submitted to the presidents of the UN General Assembly and the UNSC. In the letter, published by Turkish media, Erdogan said the nomination reflected Ankara’s commitment to “effective multilateralism” at a time when “geopolitical divisions are deepening and trust between nations is diminishing”. With more than four decades of experience in international relations and diplomacy, Sinirlioglu has held some of Turkey’s highest diplomatic positions, including foreign minister and permanent representative to the UN, Erdogan said in the letter. The choice of next UN chief would be crucial in steering the international community towards “a more peaceful, just and sustainable future” amid mounting global challenges, he added. The outgoing secretary-general, Antonio Guterres of Portugal, ends his second five-year term on Dec 31. Even if a candidate earns the required nine votes from the 15 available in the UNSC, they must also avoid a veto by the five major powers, which are deeply divided. Once a candidate clears those bars, their name will go to the General Assembly of all UN members for confirmation.