What did Feridun Sinirlioglu say a UN secretary-general should do to mediate conflicts?

Sinirlioglu said the secretary-general should bring conflicting parties together and bridge their differences. He said the role includes being ready to mediate between parties at war through quiet diplomacy as a trusted, impartial intermediary who can help them reach compromises.

What experience did Feridun Sinirlioglu cite as preparation for leading the United Nations?

Sinirlioglu pointed to his diplomatic experience and his current position as secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. He expressed confidence that this experience could help him address complex geopolitical challenges at the U.N.

UN chief candidate stresses mediation over S. Korea's concerns over peninsula tensions

Q: How did Feridun Sinirlioglu respond to South Korea’s concerns about Korean Peninsula tensions?

South Korea’s representative asked how he would keep longstanding security issues, including those involving the Korean Peninsula, on the U.N. agenda and help prevent tensions from escalating. Sinirlioglu emphasized mediation and the secretary-general’s role in bringing conflicting parties together.

Listen

Summary

Feridun Sinirlioglu, a candidate for the next U.N. secretary-general, emphasized mediation during a dialogue with U.N. member states in New York on Friday. Responding to South Korea’s concerns about Korean Peninsula tensions, he said the secretary-general should bring conflicting parties together and help bridge differences. He described quiet diplomacy and impartiality as important to mediating even between parties at war. Sinirlioglu cited his diplomatic experience and current role at the OSCE as preparation for addressing geopolitical challenges.

Key Facts

South Korea’s representative asked how Sinirlioglu would keep longstanding security issues, including those involving the Korean Peninsula, on the U.N. agenda and help prevent tensions from escalating.
Sinirlioglu said a secretary-general should act as a trusted and impartial intermediary to help parties reach compromises.
Sinirlioglu currently serves as secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 11, 2026 1:50 am KST

Feridun Sinirlioglu, Secretary General of the Organisation for Security and Cooperaton in Europe (OSCE), arrives for a meeting on Sept. 23 with Sergei Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, on the sidelines of the 2026 High-level Week as part of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. TASS-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — A candidate for the next United Nations secretary-general has emphasized the importance of mediation in addressing international conflicts while responding to South Korea's concerns over tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

"Of course, mediation is the most important role of a Secretary General," Feridun Sinirlioglu, a Turkish diplomat currently serving as secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, said during a dialogue with U.N. member states in New York on Friday.

During the session, South Korea's representative asked how Sinirlioglu would keep longstanding security issues, including those involving the Korean Peninsula, on the U.N. agenda and help prevent tensions from escalating.

Sinirlioglu stressed the need to bring conflicting parties together and help bridge their differences, highlighting the importance of the secretary-general's role as a mediator.

He said the secretary-general should be prepared to mediate even between parties at war, acting as a trusted and impartial intermediary through quiet diplomacy to help them reach compromises.

Sinirlioglu also highlighted his diplomatic experience and his current role at the OSCE, expressing confidence that he could help the U.N. address complex geopolitical challenges.

Explore More