UN Secretary-General | 01 Dec 2025

Source: UN  

Why in News?  

The United Nations has officially launched the selection process to choose the next Secretary-General (SG), who will take office in January 2027 once Antonio Guterres completes his second term on 31st  December 2026. 

What are the Key Facts About the UN Secretary-General? 

  • About: The Secretary-General (SG) is the chief administrative officer of the United Nations under Article 97 of the UN Charter. 
    • SG is equal parts diplomat and advocate, civil servant and CEO, a symbol of UN ideals and a spokesperson for the world’s peoples, especially the poor and vulnerable. 
    • Traditionally, the post rotates among regions, though this is not legally binding. 
    • All UN Secretaries-General so far have been men, prompting calls for a woman SG. 
  • Selection and Appointment of SG: 
    • Initiation: sg selection process begins with a joint invitation from the Presidents of the UNGA and UNSC for Member States to submit nominations. 
      • Each nominee submits a vision statement, curriculum vitae and campaign financing disclosures. 
    • Security Council Screening: Conducts informal consultations and secret straw polls marking candidates as “encourage”, “discourage” or “no opinion”. 
      • Ballots from the five permanent members (US, UK, Russia, China, France) are colour-coded to indicate potential vetoes. 
    • Threshold for Recommendation: Candidate requires at least nine votes and no veto to move forward. 
    • UNSC Resolution: Council adopts a formal resolution recommending one candidate to the General Assembly. 
    • General Assembly Appointment: UNGA approves the recommendation by simple majority or by acclamation. 
    • Term: Five-year tenure, generally renewable once. 
  • Role of SG: 
    • Administrative and Executive Duties: Acts as the chief administrative officer of the UN under Article 97 of the Charter. 
      • Heads the UN Secretariat, overseeing staff, budgets and operations across global missions and programmes. 
      • Chairs the UN System Chief Executives Board (CEB) for system-wide coordination. 
      • Performs functions assigned by the Security Council, General Assembly, ECOSOC, and other UN bodies. 
      • SG can bring to the Security Council’s attention any matter that may threaten international peace and security (Article 99). 
      • SG holds a mandate that combines administrative responsibilities with considerable political discretion. 
    • Diplomatic and Mediation Role: The SG uses their “good offices” to prevent or ease conflicts through quiet diplomacy, public appeals and mediation. 
      • They travel widely to meet governments and communities, staying closely connected to global concerns. 
    • Symbolic and Advocacy Role: The Secretary-General serves as the UN’s moral voice, promoting peace, justice and multilateral cooperation.  
      • The role requires balancing Member States’ concerns while upholding the principles and values of the UN Charter.

UN

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q. What is the legal basis for appointing the UN Secretary-General? 
Appointment is done by the UN General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council as provided by Article 97 of the UN Charter.

Q. How are candidates for Secretary-General nominated? 

Member States submit nominations after a joint invitation from the Presidents of the UNGA and UNSC; nominees normally provide a vision statement, CV and campaign financing disclosures.

Q. What majority is required for a Security Council recommendation? 
A candidate typically needs at least nine affirmative votes in the member Council and must face no veto from any permanent member to be recommended.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims

Q. With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: (2022) 

  1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.    
  2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year    
  3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.    

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2022)

(a) 3 only    

(b) 1 and 3    

(c) 2 and 3    

(d) 1 and 2    

Ans: (a) 

Q. With reference to the United Nations, consider the following statements: (2009) 

  1. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the UN consists of 24 member States.   
  2. It is elected by a 2/3rd majority of the General  Assembly for a 3-year term.   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only     

(b) 2 only    

(c) Both 1 and 2     

(d) Neither 1 nor 2    

Ans: (b)