03.11.2026 06:30
With United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's term set to end on December 31, the race for the new secretary-general has begun. Turkey has nominated experienced diplomat and OSCE Secretary-General Feridun Sinirlioğlu for the post. While there are 8 active candidates in the race, including former heads of state and senior diplomats, the person elected will face critical issues such as Gaza, Ukraine, Iran, and Cyprus.
Turkey has nominated Feridun Sinirlioğlu, who for many years assumed important duties in foreign policy for the UN Secretary-General position. The 70-year-old Sinirlioğlu, the child of a civil servant family from the Görele district of Giresun, assumed critical responsibilities in Turkey's foreign relations throughout his diplomatic career.
Sinirlioğlu, who served as Turkey's Ambassador to Tel Aviv, also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the interim election government formed in 2015. Sinirlioğlu, who currently continues his duty as OSCE Secretary General, is among the candidates with his experience in international diplomacy.
10 NAMES IN THE RACE, 6 OF THEM WOMEN
According to Sözcü's report, other names mentioned for the UN Secretary-General position include former heads of state, foreign ministers and senior executives of international organizations.
Among the female candidates are Costa Rica's former Vice President Rebeca Grynspan, Guyana's former Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, UAE Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh, Chile's former President Michelle Bachelet, Ecuador's former Foreign Minister Fernanda Espinosa and Ecuadorian diplomat Ivonne Baki.
The other candidates are listed as International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi, former President of Senegal Macky Sall and former senior UN official Olara Otunnu.
A FIRST IN UN HISTORY COULD HAPPEN
In the United Nations, founded in 1945, all those who have held the Secretary-General position to date have been men. If the new secretary-general is chosen from among female candidates, a woman will hold this position for the first time in the organization's history.
Michelle Bachelet, among the candidates, served as Chile's first female head of state and was known for her struggle against the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship in her country.
The new secretary-general will be appointed by the UN General Assembly upon the recommendation of the UN Security Council. The person who takes office will assume the management of the organization starting from January 1, 2027.
GAZA, UKRAINE AND CYPRUS WILL BE ON THE TABLE
The new secretary-general will face many issues awaiting solutions in the international arena. Developments in Gaza, the Russia-Ukraine war, Iran-centered regional tensions and the Cyprus issue are among the UN's priority agendas.
Antonio Guterres, whose term is about to end, made diplomatic initiatives especially for the resolution of the Cyprus issue. Guterres stated that he wanted to see a solution reached on the island before completing his term, and talks were held between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides. However, no lasting result was obtained from the contacts carried out.
Therefore, the Cyprus issue is expected to be one of the important agenda items for the new secretary-general as well.
CONGRATULATORY PHONE CALL FROM ÖZGÜR ÖZEL
It was stated that CHP Chairman Özgür Özel also called Feridun Sinirlioğlu by phone and congratulated him on his candidacy for the UN Secretary-General position. Sinirlioğlu's candidacy is considered a notable development for Turkey's representation in international organizations.