Source: Lana Nusseibeh’s website.
Veteran UAE diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, who played a leading role on Afghanistan during her country’s term on the UN Security Council, has entered the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general, pledging to push the world body to act earlier in crises and deliver concrete results.
The United Arab Emirates formally nominated Nusseibeh on Oct. 21 to succeed António Guterres, whose second term ends Dec. 31.
“I am standing to be Secretary-General because I believe this is a moment to act with greater urgency: to act earlier, bring people together across difference, and drive the work forward until it produces concrete results,” Nusseibeh said in announcing her candidacy.
“That is how we rebuild trust in the United Nations and ensure it delivers meaningful change for the people it exists to serve,” she added.
Nusseibeh served as the UAE’s permanent representative to the United Nations from 2013 to 2024 and represented her country during its 2022-2023 term on the Security Council.
During that period, the UAE and Japan served as co-penholders on Afghanistan, taking a leading role in drafting and negotiating Security Council action on the country.
In March 2023, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2679, put forward by the UAE and Japan, requesting an independent assessment of the international approach to Afghanistan.
The resolution called for recommendations for a more coherent and integrated international approach to Afghanistan’s challenges and required consultations with Afghan women, civil society, Taliban authorities, regional countries and other stakeholders.
The independent assessment later informed Security Council discussions that culminated in Resolution 2721 in December 2023. That resolution encouraged implementation of the assessment’s recommendations and requested the appointment of a UN special envoy for Afghanistan.
Nusseibeh has now placed peace and security at the center of her campaign for the UN’s top post.
“I am stubbornly optimistic about the future of our world and the important role multilateralism will play in it,” she says in her campaign platform.
She has pledged “active, hands-on leadership” on peace and security, including acting earlier in crises, bridging divisions and pursuing initial agreements that can save lives and create space for broader peace efforts.
Nusseibeh said she would bring the same urgency and focus on results to development and human rights, seeking to build what she described as a more focused and responsive United Nations.
Her diplomatic career has included senior roles across the UN system. She twice served as president of the Security Council and previously served as a vice president of the General Assembly and president of the executive board of UN Women.
Nusseibeh’s candidacy comes as the process to choose Guterres’ successor is underway.
Under the UN Charter, the secretary-general is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. The next secretary-general is expected to take office on Jan. 1, 2027.