UAE nominates veteran diplomat Lana Nusseabeh for UN secretary‑general race
The United Arab Emirates announced that longtime UN ambassador Lana Nusseabeh is among seven candidates seeking to replace António Guterres as United Nations secretary‑general. The slate also includes María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Ivonne A‑Baki, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Carolyn Rodrigues‑Birkett of Guyana and Olara Otunnu of Uganda. An informal Security Council straw poll has placed Rebeca Grynspan as a slight favorite, while all contenders have faced opposition from the five permanent members. The race will determine who leads the UN after Guterres completes two terms.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning outlets covered this 13h later
- Left-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The selection will decide the next leader of the United Nations, an institution that influences global peace, security and development.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage emphasizes controversy and criticism of the UAE’s foreign policies, while centrist coverage presents a neutral announcement of the candidacy with brief mention of criticism, and right-leaning coverage focuses on diplomatic context and family background without highlighting the controversies.
LEFT
Frames the nomination as controversial, spotlighting criticism of the UAE’s ties to Sudan’s forces and Israel.
CENTER
Frames the story as a straightforward report of the candidacy, noting her experience and the race dynamics.
RIGHT
Frames the entry as a diplomatic development, stressing regional talks and the candidate’s family heritage.
The left emphasises
- draws immediate criticism over the UAE’s support for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces and Israel
- faces sharp criticism over alleged backing of paramilitary fighters
- the candidacy sparked controversy over the Emirates’ foreign policy
The right emphasises
- highlights a diplomatic discussion between Malaysia and the UAE on Middle-East developments
- notes her family’s historic ties to Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre
- reports poll results showing Grynspan leading the UN secretary-general race
How this story developed
- Sep 29 World leaders demand UN overhaul as multilateralism faces trust crisis
- Oct 10 ICC president Tomoko Akane issued a video urging member states to defend the court.
- Oct 10 The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Pillay as laureate, citing her leadership of UN‑backed inquiries into contentious legal issues.
- Oct 10 The EU announced it is preparing an Election Observation Mission for the November parliamentary election.
- Oct 10 EU urged the United States to reverse the sanctions
- Oct 11 Israeli authorities barred the Central Elections Commission from East Jerusalem and Gaza, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
- Oct 11 The UN80 Initiative announced a target of a 21 % reduction in secretariat staff.
- Oct 12 A judge permitted the lawsuit challenging the ICC sanctions to move forward.
- Oct 14 President Mahmoud Abbas decreed that the parliamentary election will be held on 11 September 2027.
- Oct 17 Secretary of State Marco Rubio imposed punitive measures against the International Criminal Court.
- Oct 18 Netanyahu posted the remarks on his official X account.
- Oct 18 The United States announced an expansion of its sanctions to cover the ICC and additional individuals and organizations.
- Oct 21 UAE minister of state for foreign affairs Lana Nusseibeh announced her bid to become the next United Nations secretary-general, introducing a prominent Middle-Eastern candidate to the race.
- Oct 25 An informal Security Council straw poll shows Rebeca Grynspan as a slight favorite.
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