UAE nominates Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General

The United Arab Emirates has formally nominated Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State, as a candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General, WAM reported in an item dated Abu Dhabi, 21 October 2026. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan submitted the nomination in a letter addressed to the presidents of the UN General Assembly and Security Council, in accordance with the approved procedures for selecting the next Secretary-General. [ 2 ]

According to WAM, the President's letter highlighted Nusseibeh's deep experience of the United Nations, her judgement in addressing ongoing international challenges and her record of constructive work. WAM said she served as the UAE's Permanent Representative to the UN from 2013 to 2024. In that period she was a Vice-President of the General Assembly, President of the Executive Board of UN Women, co-chaired General Assembly revitalisation and Security Council reform processes, and twice served as President of the Security Council during the UAE's 2022-2023 term. [ 2 ]

Emirates 24|7, in an item datelined New York, reported that Nusseibeh, described as UAE Minister of State and Envoy to the UN and EU, announced her candidacy after the formal nomination. It said she has taken a leave of absence from her position in the UAE Government to focus on her candidacy. The National reported that she said she has seen what determined diplomacy can achieve, and that she is standing because she believes this is a moment to act with greater urgency and to rebuild trust in the United Nations. [ 4 , 5 ]

Emirates 24|7 said her Vision Statement puts peace and security at the centre of her programme and argues that the UN must become more active in preventing conflict. It said she also sets out how the organisation must reform across its three pillars of peace and security, development and human rights. [ 5 ]

The National said eight people have been put forward for the role before her: Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett of Guyana, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Macky Sall of Senegal, Ivonne Baki and Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Michelle Bachelet of Chile and Olara Otunnu of Uganda. Arabian Business had earlier reported that she was being touted as a candidate. [ 1 , 4 ]

WAM said the Security Council has been considering the field through a series of informal straw polls, the latest on 16 October. Under the UN Charter, it said, the Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council, and the selection process will continue in the weeks ahead. Emirates 24|7 said Antonio Guterres's second term ends on 31 December 2026. [ 2 , 5 ]