The island nation of Cyprus is challenging Palestine in the race for the presidency of the U.N. General Assembly in 2026-2027, setting the stage for a competition that risks roiling U.S. relations with the United Nations.
The annual presidential election of the U.N.’s 193-member state body is typically a low-key affair, elevating a former head of state or foreign minister to an often ceremonial job with little real power.
But the decision of the U.N.’s Arab Group, which represents 22 Arab countries, to nominate the Palestinian U.N. representative, Riyad Mansour, is likely to trigger a political battle with the Trump administration and Congress.
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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.
