UAE Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh has emerged as a potential candidate to succeed Antonio Guterres as UN Secretary-General, amid faltering consensus over the leading contenders.
According to the Financial Times, Nusseibeh’s supporters have begun contacting diplomatic missions to gauge their positions.
Informed officials also expect her candidacy could be formally announced within the current week.
Nusseibeh represented the UAE at the United Nations between 2013 and 2024, gaining extensive diplomatic experience and international relationships.
Open competition and political challenges
Lana Nusseibeh’s name is being floated as Guterres’s term nears its end in late 2026.
The organization is facing a financial crisis and American pressure to cut spending and carry out reforms.
Rebeca Grynspan is leading the race, but she has faced objections from two permanent members of the Security Council, according to the report.
Rafael Grossi has also faced two objections, opening the door for additional names to emerge.
Meanwhile, Nusseibeh could face challenges tied to UAE policies, particularly accusations of supporting the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, which Abu Dhabi denies. The report also raises questions about Saudi Arabia’s potential position on her candidacy.
International consensus to decide the outcome
There is a desire to choose a woman from Latin America, while Washington insists that competence and the ability to carry out reforms should be the priority.
As consultations continue, any candidate’s path to the position remains contingent on Security Council consensus, followed by appointment by the General Assembly.
As such, the possibility of Nusseibeh’s candidacy remains a notable development in a race whose outcome is not yet clear.
