UAE Nominates Lana Nusseibeh to Succeed António Guterres as UN Secretary-General

Yesterday 15:00

The United Arab Emirates has formally nominated senior diplomat Lana Zaki Nusseibeh to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, introducing a prominent Gulf candidate into the contest to lead the international organisation from January 2027.

The nomination was submitted by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a letter addressed to the presidents of the UN General Assembly and Security Council on October 21, 2026. Nusseibeh, who serves as a minister of state at the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, subsequently announced her candidacy.

Her entry comes as member states consider who should succeed António Guterres, whose second five-year term ends on December 31, 2026. The selection will take place against a backdrop of international conflicts, geopolitical divisions and continuing debate over the effectiveness of multilateral institutions.

A Candidate With Extensive UN Experience

Nusseibeh brings more than a decade of experience representing the Emirates at the United Nations. She served as the country’s permanent representative from 2013 to 2024, a period that included the UAE’s elected membership of the Security Council in 2022 and 2023.

During that time, she held several senior roles within the organisation’s institutional framework. These included serving twice as president of the Security Council during the UAE’s two-year membership, as vice-president of the General Assembly and as president of the Executive Board of UN Women.

Her diplomatic work has covered international security, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, women's participation in peace processes and reform of multilateral institutions.

The UAE has presented this experience as a central qualification for the position, emphasising her familiarity with the UN system and her record of working across diplomatic differences.

Diplomacy and Institutional Reform at the Centre of Her Programme

In announcing her candidacy, Nusseibeh argued that the United Nations should play a more active role in resolving international crises rather than simply responding to their consequences.

Her stated priorities include strengthening preventive diplomacy, maintaining communication between opposing parties and pursuing practical agreements that can reduce violence and humanitarian suffering.

She has also called for changes to the organisation’s internal operations, with a focus on clearer priorities, greater accountability and more efficient use of resources. Her programme places particular emphasis on ensuring that diplomatic commitments translate into measurable results.

On development, her proposed approach focuses on national priorities, employment opportunities and stronger cooperation with international partners. She has also highlighted the need for the United Nations to address emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology and climate-related security risks.

A Competitive Race for the UN’s Top Position

Nusseibeh enters a selection process involving several candidates and requiring support within the Security Council, where five permanent members hold veto power. Under the UN Charter, the Security Council recommends a candidate for appointment by the General Assembly.

The contest has also raised questions about regional representation and the possibility of appointing a woman to lead the organisation for the first time. If selected, Nusseibeh would become the first female UN Secretary-General and the second Arab to hold the position, following Egypt’s Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who served from 1992 to 1996.

Her nomination has received backing from the Gulf Cooperation Council, whose member states announced unanimous support on October 22. That endorsement provides regional backing, although the outcome will depend on the wider selection process and the positions adopted by UN member states.

The Next Secretary-General Faces Major Global Challenges

The next head of the United Nations will take office at a time when international cooperation is under pressure from armed conflicts, humanitarian emergencies and disagreements among major powers.

For Nusseibeh, the challenge will be to translate her diplomatic experience into sufficient international support while convincing member states that her proposed approach can strengthen the organisation’s ability to respond to crises.

Her nomination adds another dimension to the leadership contest, but the final decision remains in the hands of the United Nations’ established selection process.