Lana Nusseibeh, the United Arab Emirates' candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, has presented her vision for global development. Her approach focuses on national priorities, job creation, and mobilizing financing tailored to countries' needs. This vision resonates with many African countries facing challenges such as debt, infrastructure financing, and youth employment.
During an interactive dialogue with UN member states in New York, Nusseibeh outlined her proposals for the selection process of the next UN chief. Her vision emphasizes redirecting international cooperation towards concrete results, facilitating access to financing, and prioritizing youth employment in development policies. Many developing countries, particularly in Africa, seek to strengthen their financial capacities, accelerate economic transformation, and create more opportunities for their youth.
The weight of debt servicing reduces budgetary maneuverability for several states, limiting resources for infrastructure, education, health, and employment. Nusseibeh believes that effective development cooperation relies on international partners' ability to respond to countries' defined needs. Her vision document highlights that states face different challenges, requiring a cooperative approach tailored to national realities rather than a uniform approach based on fragmented programs.
Nusseibeh advocates for better alignment of UN agencies' interventions with countries' development strategies. This aims to enhance the coherence of international action and prioritize measurable results over the volume of expenditures. For African countries, this orientation is of particular interest, aligning with concerns about economic sovereignty, economic diversification, and the need for partnerships that sustainably support national ambitions.
Job creation occupies a significant place in Nusseibeh's vision. She believes the UN must be better prepared to support countries facing a massive influx of young people into the workforce. This issue is particularly sensitive in Africa, where demographic growth accentuates needs for training, professional insertion, and creation of economic activities. The challenge goes beyond reducing unemployment, aiming to empower young people to participate in transforming their societies and access sustainable economic perspectives.
Nusseibeh's vision invites a rapprochement between international cooperation objectives and the real needs of economies and populations. She emphasizes an approach where program success is measured by its ability to produce tangible effects on employment and living conditions. Access to financing constitutes another pillar of her proposals, advocating for strengthened cooperation between the UN, development banks, and the private sector to improve data used for evaluating investment risks.
The UAE candidate also calls for a consensus on concrete solutions to debt crises and strengthened partnerships with philanthropic foundations and businesses to increase resources for effective initiatives. This broad mobilization of financing aims to support projects capable of producing results. Her comprehensive approach addresses pressing concerns for African countries and offers a framework for sustainable development and cooperation.
Key points
- Lana Nusseibeh's vision for UN Secretary-General focuses on accessible financing and youth employment.
- Her approach emphasizes national priorities, job creation, and tailored financing for countries' needs.
- Nusseibeh advocates for strengthened cooperation between the UN, development banks, and the private sector.
