Turkey has nominated a serious candidate for the top United Nations post, one which Feridun Sinirlioglu must not be allowed to hold. Selecting a Turkish U.N. secretary-general would transform the U.N. into a puppet show for Turkey’s authoritarian regime led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Given Ankara’s flagrant violations of international law, appointing Sinirlioglu would be an insult to the rules-based international order.
The U.N. was founded in 1945 and consists of 193 member states. Its mission is to maintain international peace and security, provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, protect human rights, and uphold international law. As the U.N.’s chief administrative officer, the secretary-general represents the organization’s values and serves as a voice for all humanity, particularly the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations. The position therefore demands unwavering independence, impartiality, and a commitment to upholding the principles of the U.N. Charter.
