Türkiye’s UN candidate Sinirlioğlu vows to be impartial and independent

Feridun Sinirlioğlu, Türkiye’s candidate for UN secretary-general, said at a press conference at the UN Headquarters in New York that he would be an impartial and independent secretary-general if elected. Sinirlioğlu said, "I was trained for this position; I have all the necessary experience and expertise."

Feridun Sinirlioğlu, the secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), whom Türkiye nominated for UN secretary-general, said at a press conference at the UN Headquarters in New York that he would be an "impartial and independent secretary-general" if elected.

"I will be an impartial and independent secretary-general. This is part of the job description. I cannot take a position that differs from what the job description requires. I came here not as my country’s representative, but as my country’s candidate," Sinirlioğlu said. Recalling that he had also paid close attention to the same responsibilities as OSCE secretary-general, Sinirlioğlu stressed that no one should doubt that he would perform the role with complete transparency, independence and impartiality.

"I was trained for this position"

Speaking firmly about his candidacy and qualifications, Sinirlioğlu said, "It is also a fact that I was trained for this position; I have all the necessary experience and expertise. I believe I am suited to this job." Saying that the international community was going through a very difficult period, Sinirlioğlu said, "I wholeheartedly believe that the United Nations is indispensable. There is no alternative to this institution. My candidacy is based on a simple belief: We need a United Nations that can deliver results."

In response to a question about entering the race late, Sinirlioğlu said the Turkish government had decided to offer an experienced diplomat as an option after officials following the process saw that it had reached an impasse and that other candidates had also emerged.

Reform and veto: "The decision belongs to member states"

Addressing discussions on amendments to the UN Charter and institutional reform, Sinirlioğlu said the process could not be initiated by the secretary-general and had to be initiated and concluded by member states. He said his role would be to help member states reach the compromise that best served their interests through engagement with them, adding that the issue of the veto in the Security Council was also a matter for member states.

Before the press conference, Sinirlioğlu had also outlined his priorities at an interactive dialogue session with UN member states and civil society representatives. Listing conflict prevention and resolution, restoring confidence in multilateralism, preparing for emerging challenges, sustainable development and climate action, and the protection of human rights as his five priorities, Sinirlioğlu called for the UN to become more agile, transparent and accountable.

Veteran diplomat

Türkiye formally submitted Sinirlioğlu’s candidacy at the end of October. Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız, said that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had endorsed Sinirlioğlu’s candidacy, taking into account his qualifications, international experience and the president’s confidence in him. Sinirlioğlu served as foreign minister from August to November 2015 and as Türkiye’s permanent representative to the UN from 2016 to 2023. He currently serves as OSCE secretary-general.

Photo: AA

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Türkiye’s UN candidate Sinirlioğlu vows to be impartial and independent