Dubai: Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Minister of State and candidate for the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations, affirmed that the organisation’s mission remains as vital as ever after 81 years, stressing that the UN “was not created to agree with the world, but to help the world agree”.

In a video posted on her X account to mark United Nations Day, Nusseibeh said she had spent a large part of her career at the UN and working closely with the organisation. She noted that what stayed with her most were the people working for the UN, many of whom she met far from New York and in some of the world’s most difficult and challenging regions.

She highlighted the work of UN staff on the ground, from delivering food and medicine and protecting civilians to helping parties to conflicts take their first steps towards peace. She stressed that they carry out this work “for the world, not for a particular country”.

Nusseibeh said this commitment is what makes UN staff trustworthy and what makes her proud of her nomination for the post of Secretary-General.

She said the organisation’s mission has become more urgent, requiring earlier action before crises turn into disasters, frank dialogue with all governments and a continued commitment to the people the United Nations serves.

Nusseibeh also called for decisions to be made closer to those working on the ground and for frontline staff to be given the authority and resources needed to act decisively. She also stressed the importance of protecting them as they carry out their duties in dangerous areas.

She concluded her message by expressing strong optimism about what the United Nations can achieve and gratitude to the people who make the organisation’s work possible every day.