UN Secretary General Appointment
Source : Indian Express
GS II : Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate
Why in News ?
United Nations Security Council formally approved Secretary-General António Guterres for a second term.
- Thus assuring that the former Prime Minister of Portugal retains the top job for five more years starting January 1, 2022.
Key Facts
- The recommendation will now go to the 193-member General Assembly, which is expected to make the appointment.
- He becoming the ninth UN chief since the international body’s founding in 1945.
- While there are no term limits applicable to this post, no Secretary-General has so far served more than two terms.
UN Secretary General Appointment
- Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council.
- Secretary-General’s selection is therefore subject to the veto of any of the five permanent members of the Security Council.
- Any five vetoed appointments
- US used this power to deny Egypt’s Boutros-Ghali a second term in 1997.
- China did the same in 1981 for denying Austria’s Waldheim a third term.
- What is the power of elected members ?
- 10 elected non-permanent members of the Security Council of which do not have veto powers.
- At the same time their backing is crucial as a candidate requires at least nine out of 15 votes to be recommended for the top job.
- India is currently a part.
- Resolution adopted by the General Assembly in 2015
- To make appointment open and transparent allowing member states for the first time to see basic information about all candidates including their resumes, and to question them at open sessions.
Issues with the appointment
- It lacks transparency.
- Issues due to the permanent Security Council members veto power.
- Also their secret negotiations over candidates.
- It is difficult for the chief to balance the interests of other large funders and powerful member states as well.
UN Secretary-General Responsibility
- Act and perform such other functions as are entrusted to them by the Security Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and other United Nations organs.
- Office oversees peacekeeping missions and appoints the undersecretary in charge of that department.
- Worldwide travel intended to keep the Secretary-General in touch with the peoples of the UN member states
United Nations
- The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the World War II.
- Its charter was signed in San Francisco on June 26, 1945
- It came into existence on October 24, 1945 after 51 countries have signed the charter.
- Its predecessor, the League of Nations, created by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 was disbanded in 1946.
- Headquarter – New York
- Official Languages – Arabic, English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Russian
- Members – 193
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