Secretary-General of the United Nations
The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNSG) is the head of the United Nations Secretariat, one of the six main organs of the United Nations. The Secretary-General acts as the de facto spokesperson and leader of the United Nations, tasked with the administration of the organization and often with being a global diplomatic presence.
Role and Responsibilities
The Secretary-General oversees the day-to-day operations of the United Nations, which includes supervising the United Nations System and its many agencies and programs worldwide. The role also includes serving as a mediator in disputes, speaking out on behalf of the organization on global issues, and proposing initiatives to further peace and security. The Secretary-General reports to the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Security Council.
Selection Process
The selection of the Secretary-General is a complex process involving both the Security Council and the General Assembly. The Security Council first nominates a candidate, which then requires approval by the General Assembly. This process can often be influenced by the five permanent members of the Security Council, who have the power of veto. The most recent selection processes were held for the terms beginning in 2021 and 2016.
History of the Position
The position of Secretary-General was established with the founding of the United Nations in 1945. Notable Secretaries-General include Dag Hammarskjöld, who served from 1953 until his death in 1961, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who led from 1992 to 1996, Kofi Annan, serving from 1997 to 2006, and Ban Ki-moon, who served from 2007 to 2016. The current Secretary-General is António Guterres, who began his term in 2017.
Deputy and Under-Secretaries
Supporting the Secretary-General is the Deputy Secretary-General, a role created to assist with the burdensome responsibilities of the office. Additionally, the United Nations employs a number of Under-Secretaries-General who oversee specific areas of the United Nations' work.