UAE diplomat Lana Nusseibeh enters race to lead United Nations

UAE Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh has entered the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general, pledging to use quiet diplomacy to prevent conflicts from escalating and secure practical agreements as the world body faces mounting international crises and divisions among major powers.

Nusseibeh announced her candidacy on Wednesday after UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan formally nominated her for the post. She has taken a leave of absence from her government role to focus on her campaign, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Who is Lana Nusseibeh?

Nusseibeh is a veteran Emirati diplomat who served as the UAE’s permanent representative to the United Nations from 2013 to 2024. During that period, she represented the country on the Security Council, held senior roles in the General Assembly and led the executive board of UN Women.

She also twice served as president of the Security Council during the UAE’s 2022-2023 term.

Sheikh Mohamed submitted her nomination in a letter to the presidents of the General Assembly and Security Council, citing her extensive UN experience, judgment in addressing international challenges and record of constructive engagement, according to WAM.

What is Nusseibeh’s plan for the UN?

Nusseibeh’s vision centres on using quiet diplomacy to prevent disputes from escalating and securing practical agreements that reduce human suffering while creating opportunities for broader political settlements.

She proposes pursuing achievable initial agreements, including humanitarian access, prisoner exchanges and local truces, backed by sustained diplomatic efforts and mechanisms to verify that commitments are upheld.

Her approach would also give a greater role to regional organisations and mediators trusted by the parties involved in conflicts. The UN need not lead every negotiation, she argues, but should support those best positioned to make progress.

Beyond conflict resolution, Nusseibeh has called for clearer priorities, stronger accountability and less duplication across the organisation’s work on peace and security, development and human rights.

She also wants UN programmes to be judged by measurable results rather than stated ambitions, with more authority and resources directed towards officials working on the ground.

Why has Nusseibeh taken leave from her government role?

Nusseibeh said stepping aside from her government duties reflects the independence required of the secretary-general under the UN Charter.

“I wish to offer myself to this office as I would serve it: speaking frankly with every government and answering to none,” she said in her candidacy statement.

She said her diplomatic experience had shown that countries with deep differences could find common ground, but warned that a widening gap between international commitments and actual results was undermining trust in the United Nations.

She said her candidacy was driven by the need for earlier intervention, greater urgency and more effective international cooperation.

What is Nusseibeh’s experience in international diplomacy?

As the UAE’s permanent representative to the UN, Nusseibeh led the country’s participation during its 2022-2023 term on the Security Council, including two presidencies of the council.

Her work included efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In December 2023, she led a visit by current and incoming Security Council members to the Rafah border crossing.

She also played a role in efforts that led to the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2720 in December 2023, which sought to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.

Her other UN positions included vice-president of the General Assembly and president of the executive board of UN Women. She has also worked on initiatives to revitalise the General Assembly and reform the Security Council.

Who else is running to become UN secretary-general?

Nusseibeh enters the race as the Security Council remains divided over who should succeed António Guterres, whose second five-year term ends on December 31, 2026.

Six rounds of informal Security Council polling have failed to produce a candidate acceptable to all five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France, according to Reuters.

In the latest poll, held on October 16, former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan emerged as the narrow frontrunner. However, every candidate received at least two opposing votes from permanent members, leaving the selection process deadlocked.

The impasse has left room for additional candidates to enter the contest as council members continue negotiations over the next UN chief.

How is the UN secretary-general selected?

The Security Council recommends a candidate for the position, and the General Assembly makes the appointment. A recommendation requires at least nine votes from the 15-member council and must not face a veto from any of its five permanent members.

The successful candidate is expected to begin a five-year term on January 1, 2027.

If elected, Nusseibeh would become the first woman to lead the United Nations since its founding in 1945. She would also be the second secretary-general from the Arab world, following Egypt’s Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who held the position from 1992 to 1996.

Although calls for a woman to lead the organisation have grown over the years, neither gender nor regional rotation is a formal requirement under the UN Charter.

Nusseibeh will now seek the backing of member states, including the five permanent Security Council powers whose competing interests have complicated the selection process. She has said her leadership would be measured by tangible results rather than declarations.