The United Arab Emirates has officially nominated Lana Nusseibeh for the role of United Nations Secretary-General, according to the state-owned Emirates News Agency. Nusseibeh, currently the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the first woman to serve as the UAE’s ambassador to the UN, has been speculated as a candidate for some time. She joins a field of seven candidates vying for the UN’s top diplomatic position.
President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan submitted the nomination, praising Nusseibeh’s extensive UN experience and her ability to tackle international challenges. While the president’s office has not confirmed receipt of the nomination paperwork, a public relations firm for the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Nusseibeh’s candidacy.
In her vision statement, Nusseibeh asserted that the Secretary-General’s role embodies a unique kind of power, built on trust. She has taken a leave of absence from her governmental role to concentrate on her campaign. Current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ term concludes on December 31, 2026, and member states must select a successor by that time.
Born in 1978, Nusseibeh is a prominent figure in internationalrelations, having served as the UAE’s UN ambassador from 2013 to 2024. She will need to secure backing from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council—Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States—as she faces challenges related to the UAE’s controversial human rights record and its involvement in the Sudan conflict.
To win, a candidate requires at least nine votes from the 15-member Security Council without being vetoed by a permanent member. Observers suggest Nusseibeh’s candidacy has been strategically developed to garner support from these key powers.
However, human rights issues connected with the UAE may pose significant obstacles. Human Rights Watch has detailed severe restrictions on freedoms in the country, and the UAE has faced criticism for its military involvement in Sudan. Nathaniel Raymond from Yale highlighted concerns that Nusseibeh’s potential elevation could hinder the UN’s efforts in crisis regions, given the UAE’s alleged complicity in violence.
The nomination process has been underway for roughly a year, and other candidates, including Michelle Bachelet of Chile and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana, have encountered obstacles due to international political sensitivities. Nusseibeh’s nomination adds another female contender to a race that has yet to see a woman lead the UN in its 81-year history.
Diplomatic sources indicate that a straw poll for candidates was delayed to accommodate Nusseibeh’s nomination, while expectations remain for her participation in discussions before the next poll is held. The broader implications of her candidacy continue to unfold amid critical international contexts.
