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ASTANA – Kazakhstan has expressed support for the United Arab Emirates’ nomination of diplomat Lana Zaki Nusseibeh for the post of United Nations secretary-general, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.
Lana Zaki Nusseibeh. Photo credit: Selcuk Acar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The UAE formally nominated Nusseibeh, its minister of state for foreign affairs and former permanent representative to the UN, on Oct. 21. The nomination was submitted by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the presidents of the UN General Assembly and Security Council.
Kazakhstan welcomed the nomination, describing the expanded field of candidates as an opportunity to continue constructive dialogue and seek a mutually acceptable decision.
“The election of the UN secretary-general is attracting increased attention from the international community amid growing expectations for the UN to improve its effectiveness in ensuring peace and security, sustainable development and the protection of human rights,” reads the ministry’s statement.
The ministry noted that reaching consensus within the Security Council has proved challenging, as reflected in the results of previous rounds of informal voting. Kazakhstan has consistently advocated strengthening the UN’s central role in international relations, improving the organization’s effectiveness and enhancing multilateral mechanisms for responding to global challenges.
The ministry also recalled Kazakhstan’s position on the selection process, citing remarks by Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in September.
“Kazakhstan advocates a transparent, inclusive and merit-based selection process, in full accordance with the UN Charter,” the ministry said.
Nusseibeh’s candidacy
Nusseibeh served as the UAE’s permanent representative to the UN from 2013 to 2024. During that period, she served as vice-president of the General Assembly, president of the executive board of UN Women and twice as president of the Security Council during the UAE’s 2022–2023 membership.
Her diplomatic work has included peace and security, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and multilateral reform. One notable achievement was her role in advancing Security Council Resolution 2720, adopted in December 2023 to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip.
In announcing her candidacy, Nusseibeh said the UN should strengthen its role in resolving international crises through diplomacy.
“Today, we need a secretary-general who can renew commitment to multilateralism and make the UN an organization that solves problems rather than simply watches the world’s crises,” she said in an interview with Reuters.
Her proposed priorities include preventing armed conflicts, strengthening mediation, facilitating local ceasefires and humanitarian access, and reforming the UN to reduce duplication and improve accountability.
The next secretary-general will succeed António Guterres, whose second term ends on Dec. 31. Under the UN Charter, the secretary-general is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. If elected, Nusseibeh would become the first woman to lead the United Nations.
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