Azerbaijan welcomed Türkiye’s nomination of OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu for UN secretary-general.
Responding to a question, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ayhan Hacızade said, "We welcome the initiative by the Republic of Türkiye to nominate Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioğlu, who is currently the OSCE Secretary General, for the position of UN secretary-general."
Emphasis on the election process
Hacızade reiterated the importance of an election process based on the candidates’ professional qualifications, international and diplomatic experience, impartiality and ability to build consensus among member states, and grounded in the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.
Hacızade said, "We believe that the ongoing consultations and constructive dialogue among member states will result in an appropriate decision that will strengthen the UN’s capacity to respond more effectively to today’s global challenges."
Türkiye formally nominated him on 30 October
Türkiye formally nominated Sinirlioğlu on 30 October after the UN Security Council failed to reach consensus on a candidate for secretary-general. A letter signed by President Erdoğan emphasized that Sinirlioğlu had the experience and culture of consensus necessary to lead the UN.
The candidate for secretary-general must receive at least nine affirmative votes in the Security Council and face no veto from any of its five permanent members. Antonio Guterres’s term ends on 31 December 2026.
The full text of the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan can be found on the ministry's website.
