UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ second term
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has recommended the name of Antonio Guterres for a second 5-year term as Secretary-General. It should be noted that Antonio Guterres is already the Secretary-General of the United Nations. His new term will be from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2026.
UN Secretary General
- According to the United Nations Charter, the ‘Secretary-General’ is the ‘Chief Administrative Officer’ of the United Nations Organization. As the chief administrative officer of the United Nations, it performs the functions assigned by the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and other organs of the United Nations.
- According to the Charter of the United Nations, the Secretary-General has the right to bring to the notice of the Security Council any matter which, in his opinion, may be a threat to international peace and security.
Appointment:
- A candidate is recommended by the Security Council to the 193-member General Assembly for appointment to the post of ‘Secretary-General’. Although all members of the United Nations are consulted in the selection of the Secretary-General, the five permanent members of the Security Council have the greatest influence. Any of these members may, by exercising his veto power, cancel the candidature of a nominee for the post of ‘Secretary-General’.
Significance of the Office of the Secretary-General:
- For global peacekeeping, the Office of the UN Secretary-General oversees peacekeeping operations, and appoints an Under Secretary in charge of the relevant department.
Source: The Hindu
