UAE Joins Race for UN Secretary-General as President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Nominates Diplomat Lana Nusseibeh; First Woman Secretary-General Possible

*ABU DHABI/NEW YORK:* The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has formally nominated its senior diplomat Lana Zaki Nusseibeh for the post of the next United Nations Secretary-General, with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan submitting her candidacy. If elected, she would become the first woman to lead the United Nations since its establishment in 1945.

According to the UAE’s official news agency, WAM, the nomination comes as diplomatic consultations intensify over the selection of the next head of the global organisation. The current Secretary-General, António Guterres, is due to complete his second term on December 31, 2026, with a successor expected to take office on January 1, 2027.

Nusseibeh is an experienced Emirati diplomat who served as the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2013 to 2024. During her tenure, she played a prominent role in her country’s diplomatic engagement with the Security Council and other UN bodies. She has also served as Vice-President of the UN General Assembly and President of the Executive Board of UN Women. She currently serves as the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Her diplomatic experience covers international peace and security, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, climate-related security challenges and reform of the United Nations system.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has also announced its support for Nusseibeh’s candidacy. The endorsement adds regional backing to the UAE’s effort to secure the top diplomatic position at the United Nations.

The selection of the Secretary-General follows a two-stage process. The UN Security Council recommends a candidate, and the General Assembly subsequently appoints the nominee. The Security Council’s five permanent members—the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and France—hold veto powers, making their positions a crucial factor in the selection process.

Nusseibeh is entering a competitive diplomatic field, with other potential candidates also under consideration. Former Costa Rican Vice-President Rebeca Grynspan is among the prominent names associated with the race. The final outcome will depend on consultations among Security Council members and approval by the General Assembly.

The leadership transition comes at a critical time for the United Nations, which continues to face major challenges involving conflicts in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, humanitarian emergencies and calls for institutional reform.

Nusseibeh’s nomination places the UAE formally in the race for the UN’s top diplomatic post and brings renewed attention to the possibility of a woman becoming Secretary-General for the first time. Her election, however, remains subject to the United Nations’ established selection process.