Azerbaijan Backs UAE Candidate for UN Secretary-General, Snubbing Turkish Contender

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ayhan Hajizade announced that his country "welcomes the United Arab Emirates' nomination of Foreign Minister Lana Zaki Naseef for the position of UN Secretary-General," effectively sidelining the Turkish candidate that reports indicate is former envoy Feridun Sinirlioglu.

Azerbaijan's position came against the backdrop of diplomatic tensions with Ankara, which ignited following a decision by Azerbaijani authorities on September 21, 2024, to restrict the wearing of headscarves in government schools. Turkish presidential advisor Oktay Saral responded by saying that barring veiled students from education "is unacceptable," prompting the Azerbaijani presidency to characterize Turkish statements as interference in domestic affairs.

Hajizade said in a statement published on the ministry's official website that Azerbaijan emphasizes the importance of "a selection process based on professional qualifications, diplomatic experience, neutrality, and the candidate's ability to build consensus" among member states.

Tensions reached a peak when President Ilham Aliyev declined to attend the thirteenth summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara on October 29-30, 2024, with Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov attending in his stead.