UAE nominates Lana Nusseibeh as UN secretary-general candidate amid deadlocked race
In short
The United Arab Emirates put forward its minister of state, Lana Nusseibeh, as a candidate for UN secretary-general on 21 October, according to Chosun Ilbo, which cited the UN. The Financial Times had reported on 20 October that she could enter the race, which has stalled after six Security Council straw polls.
Read the full story 2 min read
The United Arab Emirates formally recommended Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh, 48, as a candidate for the next UN secretary-general on 21 October, Chosun Ilbo reported, citing the UN. It said UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan wrote to the presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, stressing her UN experience, her judgment on international issues and a diplomatic record with practical results. Yonhap's later headline also said the UAE minister of state was running. [ 3 , 4 ]
In her campaign statement Nusseibeh said she had spent much of her career in and around the UN and had seen what decisive diplomacy can achieve, adding that she believes it is time to act more urgently than ever. Chosun Ilbo said she was UAE ambassador to the UN from 2013 to 2024, a vice president of the General Assembly and chair of the UN Women executive board, and twice presided over the Security Council during the UAE's 2022-2023 term. It said she would be the first woman secretary-general if elected. [ 4 ]
The Financial Times had reported on 20 October, citing UN insiders, that she could enter the race as early as that week. Diplomats said her supporters were contacting delegations to the UN to gauge reactions, according to Yonhap. [ 1 , 2 ]
The race has been deadlocked. In the sixth Security Council straw poll, Grynspan stayed in first place, followed by Grossi and Rodrigues-Birkett. Chosun Ilbo, citing the outlet PassBlue, said the council for the first time used separate ballot colours for permanent and non-permanent members in that poll. It reported that no candidate avoided opposition from the permanent members: Grynspan had nine votes in favour and Rodrigues-Birkett and Grossi eight each, but each drew opposing votes from two permanent members. Kyunghyang Shinmun gave the same two-member figure for the top three. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Chosun Ilbo said a straw-poll objection is not a formal veto but a warning that it could be kept in the final vote. A candidate needs at least nine of 15 votes and no veto from a permanent member. It added that Macky Sall withdrew, leaving seven candidates with Nusseibeh. [ 4 ]
Yonhap, citing the FT, said the UAE keeps close ties with the Trump administration but would find it hard to distance itself from controversy over its involvement in the Sudan conflict. Whether Saudi Arabia opposes her bid was named as a key variable. Kyunghyang Shinmun said the UAE has been accused of supporting the RSF. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
Korean outlets describe the selection as deadlocked, with the leading candidates facing opposition from permanent Security Council members, who can veto. Chosun Ilbo says it is being watched whether a new entrant can break the impasse.
Key facts
- The UAE officially recommended Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh, 48, as a candidate for the next UN secretary-general on 21 October, Chosun Ilbo reported, citing the UN. [ 4 ]
- The Financial Times reported on 20 October that Nusseibeh could enter the race as early as that week, citing UN insiders. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Nusseibeh was the UAE's ambassador to the UN from 2013 to 2024. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- In the sixth Security Council straw poll, Rebeca Grynspan led, followed by Rafael Grossi and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Antonio Guterres's term as secretary-general ends in December. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Chosun Ilbo said that with Nusseibeh's entry and the withdrawal of Macky Sall, the race is again a seven-candidate field. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The race to succeed Guterres has been deadlocked, and Nusseibeh has emerged as a new candidate. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Nusseibeh served as UAE ambassador to the UN from 2013 to 2024. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Grynspan finished first in the sixth Security Council straw poll, ahead of Grossi and Rodrigues-Birkett. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The FT reported that at least two senior Latin American figures are sounding out support for possible bids. [ 1 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Nusseibeh can overcome permanent-member opposition and break the deadlock. Chosun Ilbo says this is the key question; no document reports any reaction from Security Council members.
- Whether controversy over the UAE's involvement in the Sudan conflict will hinder her bid. Yonhap says the FT judged it would be hard for the UAE to distance itself from the controversy; Kyunghyang Shinmun says it could be an obstacle and that the UAE has been accused of supporting the RSF.
- Whether Saudi Arabia will oppose her candidacy. Yonhap calls it a key variable; it adds that some experts think opposition is unlikely as Saudi Arabia seeks to ease its conflict with the UAE over Yemen.
- How many permanent members opposed each leading candidate. Kyunghyang Shinmun and Chosun Ilbo say each of the top three got opposing votes from two permanent members; Chosun Ilbo says the other candidates got at least three opposing votes each; Yonhap only says there were opposing votes.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On 21 October Yonhap reported that the FT said on 20 October that Nusseibeh was emerging as a new candidate. [ 1 ]
- On 21 October Kyunghyang Shinmun reported on the FT account of her possible bid. [ 2 ]
- On 22 October Yonhap reported that the UAE minister of state was running. [ 3 ]
- On 22 October Chosun Ilbo reported that the UAE had formally recommended her on 21 October. [ 4 ]