Turkey has nominated Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu, head of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to become the next United Nations secretary-general, the country’s Anadolu news agency reported on October 31, citing foreign ministry sources.
A nomination letter signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was submitted to the presidents of the UN General Assembly and Security Council, according to the report.
Current Secretary-General António Guterres is due to complete his second five-year term on December 31. A candidate needs sufficient support in the Security Council without a veto by any of its five permanent members.
The Security Council then recommends a candidate for appointment by the General Assembly. Turkey’s nomination is therefore a step in the selection process, not a final appointment.
Illustrative photograph.