Türkiye's candidate for UN secretary-general, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, pledged to put the Palestinian issue “at the forefront of his political engagement” if selected to lead the international organization, stressing that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip “must remain a central priority.”
Sinirlioğlu, who currently serves as secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, made the remarks Friday during an interactive dialogue with member states and civil society representatives at the UN headquarters in New York. The session was part of the process to select a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026.
The two-state solution and global stability
Responding to a question from a representative of the Arab Group about his support for the rights of the Palestinian people, Sinirlioğlu said that “a just solution to the Palestinian issue is central not only to the Arab world, but also to the stability of the global order,” pledging to work toward “a comprehensive political settlement based on the two-state solution.”
The Turkish diplomat also criticized what he described as the violation of human rights “in full view of everyone” amid “unacceptable double standards,” saying that the world is experiencing its highest level of geopolitical tensions in decades.
The Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea
Regarding maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, Sinirlioğlu said that “attacks on commercial vessels, threats to civilian seafarers and unjustified restrictions on navigation are unacceptable, regardless of their source or motives.” He added that the secretary-general “must be the first to reach the scene and must be a trusted, impartial mediator.”
“My country's candidate, not its representative”
At a subsequent press conference at the UN headquarters, Sinirlioğlu said he would be “a neutral and independent secretary-general,” stating: “I came here as my country's candidate, not its representative.” He added that the UN “is indispensable and has no alternative,” and that the world needs “a United Nations capable of delivering results.”
Türkiye officially submitted his candidacy in late October. Sinirlioğlu served as Türkiye's foreign minister between August and November 2015, then as Türkiye's permanent representative to the UN from 2016 to 2023.
Photo: Archive
