Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh faces intense scrutiny over her country’s alleged role in Sudan’s conflict as she vies to become the next UN Secretary-General.
A Contentious Candidacy
Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE’s first female ambassador to the UN, has been formally nominated by President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to succeed António Guterres as UN Secretary-General. Her candidacy, announced in October 2026, comes at a time when the race is deadlocked, with all seven candidates facing at least two vetoes from the permanent members of the UN Security Council.
The Vetting Process
The selection of a UN Secretary-General requires a delicate balance of diplomatic skills and political maneuvering. Candidates must secure at least nine votes from the 15-member Security Council, with no veto from any of the five permanent members (P5): the United States, United Kingdom, China, France, and Russia. Nusseibeh’s ability to navigate this complex process will be tested, particularly given the controversies surrounding her country’s foreign policy.
UAE’s Role in Sudan
One of the most significant challenges Nusseibeh faces is addressing the UAE’s alleged support for rebels in Sudan. According to Reuters, the UAE has been accused of backing rebel groups in the war-torn country, raising concerns about its commitment to regional stability. As a candidate, Nusseibeh will need to defend her nation’s actions and convince the international community of her ability to act independently and impartially as UN Secretary-General.
Diplomatic Record and Achievements
Nusseibeh’s diplomatic career spans over a decade, during which she has held various high-profile positions. She served as the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the UN from 2013 to 2024, successfully securing the UAE’s election to the Security Council for the 2022-2023 term. She also played a key role in the passage of UNSC Resolution 2720, which aimed to facilitate humanitarian aid access to Gaza. Her academic background, with degrees from Cambridge and the School of Oriental and African Studies, and fluency in English, Arabic, French, and Hebrew, further bolster her credentials.
Regional Implications
Nusseibeh’s candidacy has broader implications for the region, particularly in the context of Gulf state representation at the UN. As a prominent female diplomat from the UAE, her nomination reflects the country’s efforts to project a more progressive image on the global stage. However, the controversies surrounding the UAE’s foreign policy, including its involvement in the Sudan conflict, may complicate her bid and raise questions about the suitability of candidates from countries with contentious regional roles.
The Road Ahead
As the selection process unfolds, Nusseibeh will need to address the concerns of the P5 members and demonstrate her ability to act as an independent and impartial leader. Her promise to take a leave of absence from her role as Minister of State in the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a step towards asserting her independence. However, the outcome of her candidacy remains uncertain, with the deadlocked race and the UAE’s controversial foreign policy posing significant challenges. For communities and families across the region, the selection of the next UN Secretary-General will have far-reaching implications, shaping the organization’s response to global conflicts and crises in the years to come.
The vetting process for top leadership roles in multilateral bodies, such as the UN, involves a thorough examination of candidates’ backgrounds, diplomatic records, and their countries’ foreign policies. In the case of Lana Nusseibeh, her candidacy is being scrutinized in light of the UAE’s alleged support for Sudan rebels, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in the selection process. As the world watches, the question remains: can Nusseibeh overcome these challenges and emerge as a credible candidate for UN Secretary-General?
Early Life And Education
Lana Nusseibeh was born in Abu Dhabi in 1978 to Zaki Nusseibeh, a government official of the United Arab Emirates, and is descended from the Nusseibeh family of Jerusalem, who have reportedly held the role of guarding the keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre since the 7th century.
She attended The British School – Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi and later Wycombe Abbey, a private girls’ boarding school in Buckinghamshire, England, from 1990 to 1997. Nusseibeh received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Queens’ College, University of Cambridge, and an additional master’s degree in Israeli and Jewish Diaspora Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London in 2003.
Nusseibeh speaks English, Arabic, French, and Hebrew, and her academic background has likely influenced her diplomatic career, which spans over a decade and includes various high-profile positions, such as consultant for UNESCO and analyst with the Security and Terrorism Programme of the Gulf Research Center.
P5 Veto Dynamics and Regional Tensions
The UN Security Council’s P5 members hold significant sway over Secretary-General selections through their veto power, with each permanent member prioritizing different regional and geopolitical interests. According to PassBlue, Nusseibeh’s candidacy benefits from the UAE’s strong ties to the United States, a key P5 member, but she must still secure support from Britain, China, France, and Russia. These relationships are complicated by varying regional priorities and historical tensions.
China and Russia have historically opposed Western-backed interventions, potentially viewing UAE foreign policy with skepticism. France and the UK maintain their own strategic interests in the Middle East, particularly regarding counterterrorism and energy partnerships. The UAE’s alleged support for Sudan rebels creates additional friction, as Security Council members must balance regional stability concerns with their broader diplomatic agendas. Each P5 member’s stance reflects their national security calculations and existing alliances.
The deadlock mentioned in the article, where all seven candidates faced at least two vetoes, underscores how P5 divisions can paralyze the selection process. Nusseibeh’s challenge lies in navigating these competing interests while addressing concerns about the UAE’s controversial foreign policy decisions. Her success depends on demonstrating independence from her government’s positions while maintaining credibility with all permanent members.
Sources
- Lana Nusseibeh
- Who is Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE's candidate for UN Secretary-General? – i24NEWS
- UAE Candidate Is Likely to Be Asked About Her Nation's Controversies Abroad – PassBlue
Photo: Jennifer Jacquemart / European Union (CC BY 4.0)
