Beninese diplomacy announced its support for Lana Nusseibeh as a candidate for United Nations Secretary-General on 25 October 2026 via a post on X. Lana Nusseibeh is a 48-year-old Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. Officials from Benin stated, "Dans un monde où le dialogue entre les nations est plus nécessaire que jamais, l’expérience de Lana Nusseibeh au sein des Nations Unies constitue un atout majeur." The statement further noted that the international organization "doit rester le lieu où les différences peuvent devenir le point de départ d’une action commune." This endorsement follows the professional tenure of Lana Nusseibeh within the United Arab Emirates government and her previous engagement with international diplomatic structures.
Diplomatic Path to Candidacy
Lana Nusseibeh maintained a long tenure as the United Arab Emirates ambassador to the United Nations, serving in that capacity from 2013 to 2024. Her representative work during this period involved engagement with various international diplomatic structures and multilateral negotiations. Following her departure from the ambassadorial role, the United Arab Emirates government formally put forward her name for the international leadership position. The United Arab Emirates officially proposed Lana Nusseibeh's candidacy for the office of United Nations Secretary-General on 22 October 2026. This move officially initiated the process for her potential transition into the top role at the international organization.
Shifting Field of Candidates
Macky Sall withdrew his candidacy for the United Nations Secretary-General position following the informal orientation vote held on 16 October 2026. The former Senegalese President announced his decision to step down from the race, citing the need for "une candidature consensuelle" to guide the international organization. His exit from the field leaves a vacancy among the primary contenders previously identified during the early stages of the selection process.
Current United Nations Secretary-General Guterres will conclude his tenure at the end of 2026. Member states expect to designate his successor by the end of this year, ensuring a transition for the start of the new term in January 2027. This timeline dictates the pace for the remaining candidates, including Lana Nusseibeh, as they seek support from the Security Council and the General Assembly. The selection process remains subject to the established procedures for appointing the head of the international body.
