Turkey’s bid for UN chief tests Erdogan’s global ambitions

For months, leading candidates to become the next United Nations secretary general have struggled to gain support from a divided Security Council. Turkey has now entered the contest, nominating Feridun Sinirlioglu, a former foreign minister, to succeed current secretary general Antonio Guterres. This move gives Erdogan, Turkey's president, a platform to promote his belief that countries like Turkey should have a greater voice in an international system dominated by a few powerful states.

Ben Cohen, a senior analyst with the Foundation for the Defence of Democracies, believes Erdogan's move is a strategic opportunity for his country. He notes that having an Erdogan ally at the UN's helm would not only benefit Turkey politically but also reinforce its image as a responsible international actor focused on reviving the UN as a peacekeeper and protector of international law.

Turkey has a direct interest in the UN's work, as the Security Council frequently discusses conflicts and disputes affecting its neighbors, including Cyprus, Syria, and Iran. Richard Gowan, programme director for Global Issues and Institutions at the International Crisis Group, states that given the number of issues on the UN agenda concerning Turkey's neighbors, Ankara aims for maximum influence in New York.

Turkish UN ambassador Ahmet Yildiz submitted the nomination on Friday, with no candidate yet securing sufficient agreement. Costa Rica's Rebeca Grynspan led the September 30 straw poll, followed by Argentina's Rafael Grossi, Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, and the UAE's Lana Nusseibeh. The Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, explained that Turkey initially stayed out of the contest out of respect for the expectation that the next secretary general would come from Latin America. However, after the deadlock became apparent, Turkey decided to submit its own candidate.

Gowan suggests that entering the race earlier could have carried a political cost, as the Latin American candidates started to lose support. Nusseibeh, who entered the race last month, has secured backing from Gulf Co-operation Council countries, Cyprus, Jordan, and Palestine. However, Cyprus has already expressed opposition to Sinirlioglu's candidacy, citing his country's ongoing illegal occupation of 37% of the Republic of Cyprus and disregard for Security Council resolutions.

Cohen argues that Sinirlioglu's credentials do not warrant the "compromise" candidate label, as they include Greece, which is currently serving on the Security Council, Israel, and major European Union members. Middle Eastern states are also among those supporting his candidacy.

Despite the challenges, a Turkish candidate could provide Ankara with an opportunity to promote its vision of global governance and reinforce Erdogan's narrative that Turkey is a power whose voice cannot be ignored. However, winning the position would require the consent of powerful nations whose privileges Erdogan has challenged, including the US, Britain, France, Russia, and China.