AMANAH women’s chief backs Lana Nusseibeh for UN top job, calls for leadership to restore global trust

Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH) National Women’s Chief Aiman Athirah Sabu has thrown her support behind United Arab Emirates (UAE) diplomat Lana Zaki Nusseibeh’s candidacy for United Nations Secretary-General, calling for principled leadership capable of restoring global trust and strengthening international cooperation.

In a statement today, Aiman Athirah said the world was facing a defining moment marked by escalating conflicts, widening geopolitical divisions and declining public confidence in multilateral institutions.

She stressed that the next UN Secretary-General must be capable of bridging political differences, defending international law and translating diplomatic commitments into meaningful action.

“I welcome and support the candidacy of Her Excellency Lana Zaki Nusseibeh for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations,” she said.

Aiman Athirah described Nusseibeh as an experienced diplomat whose extensive knowledge of the UN system and longstanding involvement in international affairs would provide a strong foundation for navigating increasingly complex global challenges.

She emphasised that the position demanded more than administrative leadership, particularly at a time when the international community was struggling to address conflicts, humanitarian crises and growing divisions between major powers.

“At this critical juncture, the next Secretary-General must be more than a custodian of the institution,” she said.

“The office demands a principled leader who can convene nations across political differences, champion peace and human dignity, uphold international law, and drive meaningful institutional reform.”

Aiman Athirah also called for the United Nations to become a more effective institution capable of producing tangible solutions rather than merely providing a platform for diplomatic discussions.

“The United Nations must be more than a forum for dialogue; it must be an effective instrument for peace, justice, and collective action,” she stressed.

Her endorsement comes as the international community considers candidates to succeed António Guterres, whose second term as UN Secretary-General is scheduled to end on December 31, 2026.

Nusseibeh, who currently serves as UAE Minister of State, was formally nominated by her government on October 21.

She previously served as the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2013 to 2024 and held several significant multilateral positions, including President of the UN Security Council during the UAE’s membership of the body.

The UAE diplomat has also been involved in international negotiations concerning peace and security, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and institutional reform.

Calls for greater women’s leadership

Beyond endorsing Nusseibeh, Aiman Athirah highlighted the importance of recognising women’s leadership capabilities at the highest levels of international governance.

She said the time had come for the international community to give serious consideration to women assuming the United Nations’ most senior leadership position.

“I also believe that the time has come for the world to seriously embrace women’s leadership at the highest levels of international governance,” she said.

“This is not simply a question of representation. It is about recognising competence, experience, judgement, and the capacity to lead with courage and conviction.”

The United Nations has never appointed a woman as Secretary-General since its establishment in 1945, making the ongoing selection process particularly significant for discussions surrounding gender representation in global leadership.

Nevertheless, Aiman Athirah emphasised that the selection process must ultimately prioritise merit, integrity, independence and the ability to serve all UN member states fairly and impartially.

She said her support for Nusseibeh reflected a broader conviction that the United Nations needed to renew its purpose, rebuild its credibility and improve its ability to deliver meaningful outcomes for people around the world.

“The world does not merely need a new Secretary-General. It needs renewed confidence in the possibility of peace, the promise of multilateral cooperation, and the power of principled leadership,” she said.

Under the UN Charter, the next Secretary-General will be appointed by the General Assembly following a recommendation from the Security Council.

The incoming Secretary-General is expected to assume office on January 1, 2027, succeeding Guterres, who has led the organisation since 2017.

Aiman Athirah expressed hope that the leadership selection process would strengthen the UN’s ability to respond to global challenges while renewing international confidence in collective action.

“A stronger United Nations. A more peaceful world. A future worthy of humanity,” she said.