Exclusive-Senior UAE diplomat Lana Nusseibeh enters race for UN chief

Senior UAE diplomat and Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh has entered the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general. According to Al-Monitor, Nusseibeh, who served as the UAE ambassador to the UN for more than ten years, told Reuters she aims to restore the organization's role as a diplomatic problem-solver during global crises.

The Jerusalem Post reports she currently serves as the assistant minister for political affairs in the UAE Foreign Ministry and previously served as the UN Security Council president from 2022 to 2023.

The selection process seeks a successor to Antonio Guterres, whose second five-year term concludes on December 31. The National UAE notes that state media agency Wam reported a letter from President Sheikh Mohamed highlighted Nusseibeh's judgment and constructive record in addressing international challenges.

The contest features a crowded field of candidates. The National UAE lists eight people put forward for the role: Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, Senegal’s Macky Sall, Ecuador’s Ivonne Baki, Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, Ecuador’s Maria Fernanda Espinosa, and Uganda’s Olara Otunnu. The Jerusalem Post notes that Rebeca Grynspan has led in straw polls, while Rafael Grossi draws significant backing in informal polling.

Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, Jerusalem Post, The National UAE — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.