What is the role of the UN Secretary-General?
The Secretary-General is the top official of the United Nations and its chief administrative officer – the symbol of the Organization to the world, particularly as the foremost international mediator and peacemaker. The Secretary-General draws world attention to major global issues, from development to disarmament to human rights, and is empowered to bring to the attention of the Security Council any problem that threatens international peace and security. To help resolve international disputes, the Secretary-General may carry out mediation or exercise quiet diplomacy behind the scenes. The impartiality of the Secretary-General is one of the UN’s most important assets. In recent years, the Secretary-General has intensified the exercise of preventive diplomacy to keep international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading. The Secretary-General has also taken the lead in efforts to reorganize and streamline the work of the UN, working closely with the General Assembly and other bo
