--- title: "Lana Nusseibeh nominated for UN Secretary General position" url: https://newscentral.site/lana-nusseibeh-nominated-for-un-secretary-general-position/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "World" published: 2026-10-22T21:18:37.000Z updated: 2026-10-23T05:30:17.557Z id: 67215691-74d6-479b-83b4-b4643ee84382 source: "France 24 English https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20261022-emirati-diplomat-could-become-next-un-chief-despite-human-rights-concerns-uae-sudan-un-secretary-general-lana-nusseibeh" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/lana-nusseibeh-nominated-for-un-secretary-general-position/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Lana Nusseibeh nominated for UN Secretary General position The United Arab Emirates has put forward its former envoy Lana Nusseibeh as a candidate for the position of UN Secretary General, citing President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan's proposal to the UN. The United Arab Emirates has put forward its former envoy Lana Nusseibeh as a candidate for the position of UN Secretary General. This nomination has sparked concerns among human rights defenders who point to the country's questionable human rights record and alleged backing of forces responsible for a massacre in Sudan. Nusseibeh, currently a minister of state in the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, previously served as the country's first female ambassador to the UN. She joins six other candidates vying for the top diplomatic position at the world body. Her nomination has been months in the making, with speculation surrounding her potential candidacy. The UAE government announced Nusseibeh's nomination through its state-owned news agency, citing President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan as submitting the proposal to the UN. According to the report, he highlighted Nusseibeh's extensive experience within the UN system and her track record of addressing international challenges. The confirmation of Nusseibeh's candidacy comes via an email from a New York-based public relations company representing the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The email, which was sent to media outlets, included a statement outlining Nusseibeh's vision for the role of UN Secretary General. Details of Nusseibeh's vision statement were provided in the email, but it is unclear whether this document has been officially submitted as part of her nomination process. The office of the President of the General Assembly has not confirmed receipt of the required documentation for Nusseibeh's candidacy. The nomination process for UN Secretary General remains ongoing, with several candidates vying for the position. Human rights defenders have expressed concerns about the implications of electing a diplomat from a country with a questionable human rights record to lead the world body. Nusseibeh's statement emphasizes her commitment to independence and impartiality as UN Secretary-General. She affirms that her role would not involve wielding a military force or exercising voting power, but rather leveraging her diplomatic influence to bring nations together in agreement. To achieve this, she believes her independence is crucial, allowing her to build trust with other leaders. Nusseibeh's decision to run for the top UN position comes after taking a leave of absence from her government role. This move signals her dedication to securing the Secretary-General post and ensuring a smooth transition by December 31, 2026, when current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' term expires. The UAE's strong ties with the United States, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, undoubtedly contribute to Nusseibeh's credibility as a candidate. Her experience serving as the UAE's UN ambassador from 2013 to 2024 has also helped establish her reputation in international circles. However, Nusseibeh faces significant challenges in securing support from other key players. She will need to win over the four remaining veto-wielding permanent members, Britain, China, France, and Russia, and address concerns related to Abu Dhabi's human rights record and involvement in the Sudan conflict. A candidate requires at least nine votes from the 15-member Security Council to succeed, without being blocked by a permanent member. A former diplomat from the global South suggests that Nusseibeh's late entry into the race indicates she has secured the backing of the key veto powers. UN insiders believe Nusseibeh has effectively managed her campaign rollout, implying that she may have already secured the necessary support from the P5 members. Richard Gowan from the International Crisis Group comments on this development, stating that it feels like a "coronation rather than a genuine competition for the position. Nusseibeh's ability to navigate complex diplomatic relationships and build alliances is likely crucial in her bid for the UN Secretary-General post. Her experience as the UAE's ambassador has equipped her with valuable skills in this area, which she will need to leverage if she hopes to succeed in securing the top spot at the world body. The UAE's ambassador to the UK has been touted as a potential candidate to lead the United Nations, but her country's human rights record is likely to come under scrutiny if she runs for the top spot. Critics point out that the UAE severely restricts freedom of expression, association, and assembly, among other concerns. Human Rights Watch's 2026 report on the UAE details these issues, highlighting the need for improvement in this area. Nusseibeh's diplomatic background is marked by her country's growing relationship with Israel, which has led to increased cooperation between the two nations. In fact, the UAE was one of the first Middle Eastern powers to join the Abraham Accords, a peace agreement aimed at normalizing relations between Arab states and Israel. During her tenure as ambassador to the Security Council from 2022-2023, Nusseibeh demonstrated her commitment to humanitarian aid in Gaza. Her efforts were seen as crucial in securing essential supplies for Palestinian civilians during times of blockade. Some have praised Nusseibeh's diplomatic skills, with Johnnie Moore, a US evangelical preacher and former head of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, hailing her as one of the only diplomats in the world who could get through the Security Council under present circumstances. Brett McGurk, a former top national security adviser to President Biden, also expressed his support for Nusseibeh's potential candidacy. He noted that the UAE has become one of the largest providers of humanitarian aid to Gaza, thanks in part to her efforts. However, not everyone is convinced that Nusseibeh would be an effective leader at the UN. Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health, warned that her appointment could have disastrous consequences for UN operations in Sudan, Yemen, and other regions. The appointment of a high-ranking Emirati diplomat to the top position at the United Nations has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and loyalty. The UAE's involvement in Sudan's conflict is a major point of contention, with UN independent panels accusing the country of arming and funding the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who are fighting the government army Sudanese Armed Forces. This alleged support includes re-exporting Chinese-guided bombs and howitzers by the Emirates, which breaches the arms embargo on Darfur. The Emirati government has denied these allegations, claiming that they do not supply weapons or military support to either side in the conflict. However, an investigation by Amnesty International found evidence of UAE involvement in the RSF's military activities. Critics argue that appointing a high-ranking official from a country with such alleged ties to human rights abuses would be disastrous for UN operations in Sudan and other regions. The UAE's actions are seen as enabling the massacre of civilians in El Fasher, which has been determined by the UN to have the hallmarks of genocide. The selection process for the next secretary-general is currently underway, with several candidates having undergone public hearings and informal straw polls. However, concerns about potential conflicts of interest and loyalty may impact the outcome. The appointment of a UAE diplomat would be particularly contentious given the one-year anniversary of the El Fasher massacre approaching next week. Critics argue that celebrating this occasion by appointing an official from the country responsible for enabling such violence would send the wrong message to the global community. The nomination of Nusseibeh has injected a fresh dynamic into the UN secretary-general selection process. Nusseibeh's appointment as an Emirati diplomat to the Council has given member states another option in the contest for the top post. The latest straw poll results show that none of the candidates have managed to secure consensus from all members, with each drawing two discourage votes from a P5 member in the October 16 poll. Despite this, experts suggest that the nominees must do more negotiating to overcome these initial obstacles and build support. One diplomat described the red cards" as an initial hurdle that candidates need to clear before gaining momentum. The addition of Nusseibeh as a candidate has also expanded the pool of contenders, with four women now vying for the position. This development is significant given that the UN has never had a female secretary-general in its 81-year history. A crucial straw poll on the UN Secretary-General position has been postponed to possibly next week, allowing the UAE time to submit Nusseibeh's nomination. The delay is seen as a significant development in the ongoing selection process for the world body's top post. The postponement of the straw poll means that diplomats will now expect Nusseibeh to participate in an interactive dialogue at the General Assembly before another vote takes place. This move could potentially impact the outcome of the election, given the UAE diplomat's nomination is still pending submission. In related news, the General Assembly president has indicated a change in approach for upcoming interactive dialogues, and any new candidate emerging will be introduced to the wider UN membership as per relevant revitalisation resolutions. --- Source: [France 24 English](https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20261022-emirati-diplomat-could-become-next-un-chief-despite-human-rights-concerns-uae-sudan-un-secretary-general-lana-nusseibeh) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/lana-nusseibeh-nominated-for-un-secretary-general-position/