Lana Nusseibeh vows to bring "relentless practicality" to UN as Secretary-General

UAE candidate Lana Nusseibeh has emphasised her goal of bringing the "stubborn optimism and relentless practicality of a bridge-building diplomat" to the role of UN Secretary-General.

During her remarks at a UN interactive dialogue with member states in New York, Nusseibeh focused on strengthening diplomacy, reforming the institution, and rebuilding trust in it.

"We need a UN that is ambitious about its purpose and disciplined about where it makes the greatest difference, doing less where others can deliver, more where only it can," said Nusseibeh.

She pointed to her experience negotiating Security Council agreements, including on Afghanistan and humanitarian aid to Gaza.

"Progress does not require our differences to disappear. It requires us to work through them. My career has been defined by helping reach agreement when it seemed impossible," the UAE candidate said. 

She also pledged to defend human rights without double standards and stressed the independence of the Secretary-General’s office.

Meanwhile, at a media stakeout after her session, she said she would take political risks if selected as Secretary-General. 

"I promise to be a prime mover in mediation efforts and to be a political risk taker," said Nusseibeh in light of the regional conflict she experienced. 

The Minister of State also highlighted the youth's role in rebuilding trust in and the power of the UN. 

"The fact that 55 per cent of the world's population still believes in the UN and that the youth demographic is the highest number in that grouping shows me that we have a moment in time to rebuild trust in this institution," said the UAE candidate. 

"I think it's time for that relentless diplomacy, that generational change, and, frankly speaking, a sense of optimism about what we can achieve if we work together," she added. 

She added that the United Nations needs a geopolitical leader amidst the regional and international developments. 

Nusseibeh also responded to a question about potentially being the first female UN Secretary-General, saying she didn't run for the role because she is a woman, but believed the next one should be. She faces four other female candidates in the race. 

"It is high time, and I hope it is an inspiration to women and girls around the world, and to boys and men around the world, and I am the mother of two sons, that they see a woman embodying the principles that are in our Charter about the equality and dignity of women and men in the Charter and in international law", she said. 

The UAE candidate submitted her nomination for the next UN Secretary-General on October 21.

Nusseibeh was the last candidate to take part in the dialogue, with each of the remaining six candidates having held the sessions individually over the last few months.