The UAE announced Lana Zaki Nusseibeh as its nominee for UN secretary-general on Oct. 21, placing attention on a selection process governed by the Security Council’s veto power.
The UAE said President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent her nomination by letter to the presidents of the General Assembly and Security Council. Nusseibeh served as the UAE’s permanent representative to the United Nations from 2013 to 2024. Her roles included vice president of the General Assembly and president of the Executive Board of UN Women. She also twice served as Security Council president during the UAE’s 2022–2023 term.
The Council held its sixth secret straw poll on Oct. 16, when seven candidates were in the field. The Associated Press reported that Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan led with nine “encourage” votes, but no candidate had support from all five permanent members.
Under the UN Charter, the General Assembly appoints the secretary-general after the Security Council recommends a candidate. The 15-member Council needs at least nine votes to make a recommendation, and any of its five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom or the United States — can veto it.
No woman has held the secretary-general post, according to UN records. If appointed, Nusseibeh would be the first. António Guterres’ term ends Dec. 31, 2026, and his successor is expected to take office in January 2027.
The UAE said it submitted the nomination, but PassBlue reported that the General Assembly president’s office had not confirmed receiving the required documents as of Oct. 21. PassBlue also reported that an expected Oct. 23 straw poll had been postponed, possibly until the following week; it gave no replacement date.
