Türkiye joins race for next UN secretary-general

[Financial News] Türkiye has joined the race by officially nominating one of its senior diplomats as a candidate for the next UN secretary-general. The move comes just two months before current Secretary-General António Guterres’s term expires.
According to UN sources on the 30th (local time), the Turkish government officially nominated Feridun Sinirlioğlu (70), secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as a candidate for the next UN secretary-general that day. Sinirlioğlu has served as Türkiye’s deputy foreign minister, foreign minister and ambassador to the UN, and currently heads the OSCE.
In a letter to the president of the UN General Assembly and the president of the Security Council (UNSC), the Turkish government stressed that candidate Sinirlioğlu has more than 40 years of experience in international relations and diplomacy, and has demonstrated particular expertise in regional conflict mediation and crisis management.
He is also reported to have good ties with all five permanent members of the UNSC. That brings the total number of candidates competing to become the next UN secretary-general to eight.
UAE Foreign Minister Lana Nusseibeh, who joined the race last week and had been considered a leading candidate, finished fourth with 7 votes in favor, 6 against and 2 expressing no opinion. Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and a native of Costa Rica, and Argentina-born Rafael Grossi, secretary-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), held first and second place, respectively. However, both also received 4 votes against them.
The UN secretary-general is appointed by the General Assembly after being recommended by the UNSC. At least 9 Security Council members must vote in favor of a recommendation, and none of the five permanent members may exercise its veto.

[email protected] Kang Gu-gwi Reporter