Palestinian United Nations Ambassador Riyad Mansour is mounting a bid to serve as the president of the U.N. General Assembly in 2026-2027, setting the stage for a likely clash with the Trump administration that risks destabilizing the world body at a time it is seeking to reset its relations with the United States.
The U.N. Arab Group, which represents the U.N.’s 22 Arab countries, formally nominated Mansour on Monday in a letter to the chair of the larger Asia-Pacific Group, which represents some 55 member states, including the Arabs. Devex has seen a copy of the letter.
The 193-member U.N. General Assembly selects its leader each year on the basis of regional rotation, and it is the Asia-Pacific Group’s turn to fill the slot. Germany’s outgoing foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, is likely to be elected later this year as the U.N. General Assembly president for the 2025-2026 session, replacing the current U.N. leader, Philémon Yang of Cameroon.
About the author
Colum Lynch
Colum Lynch is an award-winning reporter and Senior Global Reporter for Devex. He covers the intersection of development, diplomacy, and humanitarian relief at the United Nations and beyond. Prior to Devex, Colum reported on foreign policy and national security for Foreign Policy Magazine and the Washington Post. Colum was awarded the 2011 National Magazine Award for digital reporting for his blog Turtle Bay. He has also won an award for groundbreaking reporting on the U.N.’s failure to protect civilians in Darfur.
