Abu Dhabi Nominates Lana Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General

Abu Dhabi–New York–Agencies: The United Arab Emirates officially announced the nomination of State Minister Lana Zaki Nusseiba as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations. The nomination was submitted by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a letter to the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council. The move comes amid a deadlock within the Security Council, following six rounds of voting that failed to produce a candidate acceptable to the five permanent members. According to reports cited by media outlets, each candidate received at least one opposing vote from a permanent member, blocking their progress. With Nusseiba’s entry, the number of candidates has risen to seven, five of whom are women, despite the fact that no woman has led the organization in its eighty-year history.

In his nomination letter, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed emphasized Nusseiba’s extensive experience working within the international organization, her wisdom in addressing current global challenges, and her diplomatic record marked by constructive efforts across various international files. Nusseiba, 48, stated that several countries had contacted her during the UN General Assembly sessions to encourage her candidacy. She previously led the UAE’s successful campaign for a seat on the Security Council, and diplomats in New York say she is highly regarded and competent.

She added, “There is a recognition today that we need someone who can bring change and reflect a new generation within the organization.” If elected, Nusseiba would become the second Secretary-General from the Middle East, following Egypt’s Boutros Boutros-Ghali. She noted, “I come from a country that is younger than the United Nations, but our region faces serious challenges.” She would also become the first woman to lead the UN. However, Nusseiba clarified that she did not run because she is a woman. “I think it would be wonderful if the next Secretary-General were a woman, but I am not running because I am a woman; I am running because I am highly optimistic about the future of the United Nations, and I believe we need someone who never tires in pursuing diplomacy to open doors.”

Nusseiba possesses over a decade of diplomatic experience at the UN, having served as the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the organization from 2013 to 2024, a period during which she participated in numerous political, security, and humanitarian files. Throughout her career, she has held the position of Vice-President of the UN General Assembly and chaired the Executive Board of UN Women. She has also contributed to leading efforts to enhance the work of the General Assembly and reform the Security Council.

During the UAE’s non-permanent membership on the Security Council in 2022 and 2023, Nusseiba presided over the Council twice and contributed to discussions on international peace and security, humanitarian action, sustainable development, security risks linked to climate change, women’s empowerment, and reform of the multilateral system.

The UAE’s nomination comes at a time when the UN is engaged in debates on the future of the multilateral international system and the organization’s capacity to handle growing geopolitical crises and economic and humanitarian challenges. Meanwhile, the Security Council continues to evaluate candidates for the position through rounds of informal voting, the latest of which took place on October 16, paving the way for a recommendation on the successor to António Guterres. Under the UN Charter, the General Assembly appoints the Secretary-General based on the Security Council’s recommendation. The selection process is expected to continue over the coming weeks, before the new Secretary-General’s term begins on January 1, 2027.