Turkey throws name of former FM, envoy to Israel into the race for next UN chief

Official says Feridun Sinirlioglu’s candidacy submitted with Erdogan’s backing; Turkish president has long called for Security Council reform, criticizing dominance of 5 permanent members

Turkey has officially nominated a former foreign minister and yearslong ambassador to the United Nations for the next UN secretary-general, state-run media reported Saturday.

The next UN chief will succeed António Guterres, who has led the world body for almost 10 years. The organization is under pressure to reform as it finds itself sidelined in wars in Iran, Ukraine and Gaza while also facing a financial crisis that has forced major cuts to humanitarian and development programs.

Feridun Sinirlioglu, a 70-year-old former Turkish foreign minister and UN diplomat, had floated his candidacy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s high-level meeting in New York last month.

Sinirlioglu was Turkey’s top diplomat for a few months in 2015, an interim period between elections, and its UN ambassador between 2016 and 2023.

He was Turkey’s ambassador to Israel 2002-2007.

He currently serves as the secretary-general of the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. His current three-year mandate is scheduled to end in December 2027, but the top UN job would have a Jan. 1 start date.

Diplomats arrive ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, September 22, 2026. (AP/Yuki Iwamura)

Ahmet Yildiz, Turkey’s current representative to the UN, told the Anadolu news agency that Sinirlioglu’s name was officially submitted with backing from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan has been vocal in calling for UN Security Council reform, especially criticizing the dominance of its five permanent members. Sinirlioglu is likely to reflect the president’s agenda.

The next UN secretary-general will be decided by the 15-nation UN Security Council, especially its five veto-wielding members — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France. The 193-member General Assembly must give final approval.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan listens during a meeting with US President Donald Trump (not seen) at a multilateral meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council during the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters, September 22, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Sinirlioglu will likely face obstacles from several corners, including Turkey’s neighbor Greece, which is one of the 10 elected members of the Security Council. Pushback also would be expected from Israel, a close ally of the United States.

Seven other candidates are vying to replace Guterres as he finishes his second five-year term. Under an informal regional rotation of the UN’s top job, a candidate from the Latin American and Caribbean region could be selected.