The current Secretary‑General of the United Nations is António Guterres.
Here’s a bit of an explanation about who he is, how he got selected, and what the role involves:
Who is António Guterres
- He is from Portugal.
- Prior to becoming Secretary‑General, he served as Portugal’s Prime Minister (1995‑2002).
- He also was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (from 2005‑2015).
Term & Appointment
- His first term as UN Secretary‑General started on 1 January 2017.
- He was re‑elected for a second five‑year term, which began on 1 January 2022 and runs through 31 December 2026.
- Business Standard
- The appointment is made by the UN General Assembly, based on a recommendation from the Security Council.
What the Role Involves
- The Secretary‑General is often described as the UN’s chief administrative officer; but the role is broader.
- Duties include mediating international disputes, representing the UN globally, helping coordinate among member states, bringing attention to international crises (e.g. climate change, conflicts, human rights), and leading the Secretariat (the UN’s bureaucracy).
- Although the Secretary‑General doesn’t have the power to force countries to act, his moral authority, diplomacy, and “good offices” (i.e. using influence, negotiation, speaking out) often make the role very important.
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