Sinirlioğlu: Grain deal showed UN can deliver concrete results

Türkiye’s candidate for UN secretary-general, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, presented his policy vision, calling dialogue with opponents a duty rather than a concession and citing the Black Sea Grain Initiative as an example of the UN’s effectiveness.

OSCE Secretary-General and former Foreign Minister of Türkiye Feridun Sinirlioğlu has published a policy document titled “Preserving multilateralism and building bridges,” attached to his application for the post of UN secretary-general. In it, he outlined his priorities if elected, ranging from peace and security to organizational reform and new technologies.

The grain deal as an example

Speaking about food security, Sinirlioğlu recalled the Black Sea Grain Initiative, implemented through close cooperation between Türkiye and the UN. He said it showed that the UN can deliver concrete results in a timely and effective manner, and that the organization should continue to play a leading role in ensuring global food security.

Feridun Sinirlioğlu at the UN Security Council (AA archive)

“Dialogue is not a concession but a duty”

Sinirlioğlu emphasized that diplomacy remains the strongest tool for reducing tensions. “Engaging in dialogue with those with whom we disagree is not a concession but a duty,” he wrote, adding that amid the current instability, it is important to keep channels of communication open and restore those that have already been closed in order to avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations.

In the candidate’s view, the UN should not only resolve crises but also prevent them by strengthening early-warning, mediation and peacebuilding mechanisms, as well as cooperation with regional organizations.

Sinirlioğlu also advocated UN reform that would make the organization more flexible, transparent and accountable without weakening its key capabilities. If elected, he pledged to serve all member states impartially.

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