Secretary-General of the United Nations

UNO New York

Sr. Gladwyn Jebb

Trygve Lie 1938

Dag Hammarskjöld

U Thant (1963)

Kurt Waldheim UN

Secretary-General of the United Nations is a position that serves as the chief administrative officer of the United Nations (UN), a global organization established to promote and facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and the achievement of world peace. The Secretary-General acts as the de facto spokesperson and leader of the UN.

Role and Functions

The Secretary-General's responsibilities include helping resolve international disputes, administering peacekeeping operations, organizing international conferences, gathering information on the implementation of Security Council decisions, and consulting with world leaders to foster international cooperation. The Secretary-General also provides annual reports to the UN General Assembly on the work of the UN.

Appointment

The Secretary-General is appointed by the UN General Assembly upon the recommendation of the UN Security Council. While there is no specific term limit, the office is traditionally held for a five-year term, with the possibility of re-election. The selection process is notably secretive and subject to the veto power of any of the five permanent members of the Security Council.

History

The office of Secretary-General was established with the founding of the United Nations in 1945. The first Secretary-General was Trygve Lie of Norway, who served from 1946 to 1952. Since then, there have been nine Secretaries-General from various countries, each bringing their own perspective and leadership style to the role.

Notable Secretaries-General

- Trygve Lie (Norway): 1946–1952 - Dag Hammarskjöld (Sweden): 1953–1961, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize posthumously. - U Thant (Myanmar): 1961–1971, known for his role in defusing the Cuban Missile Crisis. - Kurt Waldheim (Austria): 1972–1981 - Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (Peru): 1982–1991, known for his peace-making efforts. - Boutros Boutros-Ghali (Egypt): 1992–1996 - Kofi Annan (Ghana): 1997–2006, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. - Ban Ki-moon (South Korea): 2007–2016 - António Guterres (Portugal): 2017–present, known for his focus on climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Challenges

The Secretary-General faces numerous challenges, including managing the complex bureaucracy of the UN, addressing global crises, and navigating the political tensions between member states. The effectiveness of the Secretary-General often depends on their ability to persuade and influence global leaders and the international community.

Legacy

The legacy of the Secretary-General is defined by their ability to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. Each Secretary-General has left a unique mark on the history of the UN, contributing to its mission of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights.