Azerbaijan Backs Lana Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General
Azerbaijan endorsed UAE Minister Lana Zaki Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General, while Kenya denied reports that it had supported the candidate.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan expressed official support for the nomination of Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, the Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates, for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. Spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada stated that the selection process should be based on professional qualifications, impartiality, and the ability to build consensus to ensure a more efficient organization.
Simultaneously, the Kenyan government moved to clarify its position following reports that it had endorsed Nusseibeh. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei denied claims that Kenya had backed the UAE candidate, contradicting social media reports that suggested an endorsement followed a meeting between President William Ruto and an Abu Dhabi diplomat in Nairobi. While Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi had previously welcomed Nusseibeh’s candidature, Sing’Oei maintained that Kenya has not expressed support for any specific contender.
The selection process for the successor to António Guterres is ongoing, with the new Secretary-General set to take office on January 1, 2027. Other leading contenders for the post include Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica and Rafael Grossi of Argentina.
