The world is grappling with increasingly complex and diverse conflicts, posing significant challenges to international law and global peace. The United Nations has been working tirelessly to restore confidence in the organization, with a focus on diplomacy to prevent conflicts from escalating. The scale and complexity of challenges facing Africa require a stronger partnership between the UN and the African Union, with a greater emphasis on prevention, mediation, and swift, accountable action.
The UN's reliance on diplomacy is a cornerstone of its efforts to maintain international peace and security. As the organization prepares to select a new Secretary-General to succeed António Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026, several candidates have emerged. Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh is a leading contender, bringing extensive experience within the organization and a deep understanding of its decision-making mechanisms, conflict resolution, and multilateral work.
Lana Nusseibeh's approach to diplomacy is characterized by her ability to formulate partial understandings that can be secured amid divisions, rather than waiting for comprehensive consensus. Her experience in drafting Resolution 2720, which established a UN mechanism to expand humanitarian assistance into the Gaza Strip, is a testament to her skills. Nusseibeh's vision for leading the UN includes achieving peace in dozens of ongoing conflicts, with Sudan being a top priority.
Sudan is currently experiencing the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with the country in the grip of famine. Nusseibeh has pledged to put the UN's full political and operational support behind efforts to secure a ceasefire and launch a credible and inclusive political process that reflects the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people. She has also expressed her readiness to support mediation efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine if elected Secretary-General.
The United Arab Emirates, under Nusseibeh's leadership, has played a significant role in mediating between Russia and Ukraine, facilitating nearly 30 exchanges of prisoners between the two parties. The UAE's approach has resulted in the successful mediation of an exchange involving 540 prisoners on October 23, bringing the total number of people involved in such exchanges to 8,537.
Nusseibeh's comprehensive vision for the UN includes addressing the challenge of extreme poverty, prioritizing prevention and early responses to disasters, and championing fairer solutions, debt relief, and expanded development opportunities in vulnerable contexts. She has pledged to revitalize the organization's operations through business and philanthropy, recognizing the value and dignity of every human being.
The UAE nominated Lana Nusseibeh for the position of Secretary-General based on her diplomatic and political credentials, which include serving as the UAE's Permanent Representative to the UN from 2013 to 2024. Her candidacy is based on merit, with a strong background in peace and security, humanitarian affairs, sustainable development, and human rights.
Key points
- The UN is seeking a stronger partnership with the African Union to address the complex challenges facing the continent.
- Lana Nusseibeh is a leading candidate to succeed António Guterres as Secretary-General of the UN.
- The UN's reliance on diplomacy is crucial in preventing conflicts from escalating and maintaining international peace and security.
