Greek newspaper reports unconfirmed Turkish bid for UN top job
TÜRKİYE is seeking to promote veteran diplomat Feridun Sinirlioğlu for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, according to an unconfirmed report by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini.
The newspaper claims Ankara is exploring support for the current secretary-general of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to succeed António Guterres. The report should not, however, be taken as confirmation that Türkiye has formally nominated Sinirlioğlu or that he has entered the contest.
According to Kathimerini, Türkiye has approached the Security Council’s five permanent members — the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain — over the possibility. The newspaper reports that the development has caused concern in Athens, which is currently serving as a non-permanent member of the council.
It also claims France is not inclined to support Sinirlioğlu, while suggesting that his dealings with Moscow through the OSCE could help him secure Russian backing. These reported diplomatic positions remain unconfirmed.
The newspaper notes that Greece previously supported his appointment to the OSCE leadership, illustrating the different calculations surrounding the two international posts.
Sinirlioğlu became the OSCE’s eighth secretary-general in December 2024. His appointment was agreed by the organisation’s 57 participating states, with his three-year term beginning on December 6.
He brings extensive experience in Turkish diplomacy and the UN system. He served as Türkiye’s permanent representative to the United Nations between 2016 and 2023, following senior positions in the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
His previous roles include foreign minister in the interim government of 2015 and permanent under-secretary at the ministry. He holds a doctorate from Boğaziçi University’s School of Political Science and International Relations and a bachelor’s degree from Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Science.
In 2023, Guterres appointed him special co-ordinator for an independent assessment mandated by the Security Council concerning Afghanistan, giving him experience of working directly on behalf of the UN beyond his national diplomatic responsibilities.
Guterres’s second term ends on December 31, 2026, with his successor expected to take office on January 1, 2027. The selection process began in November 2025 and includes public discussions with nominated candidates alongside deliberations within the Security Council.
Under Article 97 of the UN Charter, the secretary-general is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. The five permanent members can block that recommendation through their veto powers, making their acceptance decisive for any prospective candidate.
