ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - United Arab Emirates diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, a candidate to become the next United Nations secretary-general, avoided directly answering whether she supports Kurdish independence when questioned by Rudaw, despite having publicly advocated the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
"As secretary-general, I would deal with all matters on the Security Council agenda, according to principles of the UN Charter and what is mandated by the Security Council. And I would support all efforts of all peoples, as the Charter outlines, to live in freedom and dignity," Nusseibeh told Rudaw's Namo Abdulla on Tuesday.
She was responding to Abdulla's question on whether she would support Kurdish statehood as she has supported Palestinian independence. Nusseibeh did not explicitly endorse or oppose Kurdish statehood.
The 48-year-old Emirati diplomat has repeatedly backed Palestinian self-determination. In February 2024, she advocated the establishment of an independent Palestinian state before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), arguing that a two-state solution was essential to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Her stance was reiterated earlier this week, following Palestine’s endorsement of her candidacy for the UN’s top post.
"Throughout my career, including at the United Nations, I have worked to advance a political pathway that enables Palestinians and Israelis to live in security, freedom and dignity," she said on Monday.
Nusseibeh was nominated formally by the UAE last week and has received the unanimous backing of the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
She served as the UAE's permanent representative to the UN from 2013 to 2024 and currently holds the position of minister of state. If selected, she would become the first woman to lead the United Nations, succeeding Antonio Guterres, whose second term ends at the end of the year.
However, her candidacy has also drawn criticism over allegations of UAE support for Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been accused of widespread atrocities during Sudan's civil war.
On Tuesday, several human rights advocates urged countries to reject her candidacy, with former Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth accusing her of defending the UAE's alleged involvement in Sudan's conflict.
The UAE denies supporting the RSF.
Nusseibeh said Tuesday that Sudan would be among her highest priorities if appointed, pledging support for accountability efforts and an end to the conflict.
