Turkey nominates OSCE chief as candidate for next UN sec-gen

Turkey has formally nominated Feridun Sinirlioglu, the secretary-general of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as a candidate for United Nations (UN) secretary-general, according to reports from the Turkish Foreign Ministry. This move comes after a deadlocked selection process, with a recent straw poll at the UN Security Council failing to produce a decisive outcome.

Turkish UN envoy Ahmet Yildiz transmitted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's nomination letter to the presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, following the launch of the selection process on November 25, 2025. In his letter, Erdogan highlighted Sinirlioglu's extensive diplomatic experience, which spans over 40 years, including his roles as foreign minister and UN envoy.

The president also praised Sinirlioglu's strategic vision, deep knowledge of the UN system, and unwavering commitment to UN Charter principles. To secure the required support, a candidate needs at least nine votes in the Security Council, while any of the five permanent members—the United States, China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom—can veto a candidate.

Once the Security Council reaches an agreement, the nominee is appointed by the General Assembly, a step generally considered a formality. Current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' term is set to end on December 31, 2025. So far, eight candidates have been nominated, including Rebeca Grynspan from Costa Rica, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Macky Sall of Senegal, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana, Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Olara Otunnu of Uganda, and Ivonne A-Baki of Ecuador.