The secretary-general of the UN is the administrative head of the organization. If this position, and the office of the secretariat, did not exist, the organization would be incapable of performing its duties in protecting global peace and security and resolving international disputes.
The UN Charter is quite specific about the duties of the secretary general. Article 97 states that "The Secretary-General shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. He shall be the chief administrative officer of the Organization." Article 98 states that "The Secretary-General shall act in that capacity in all meetings of the General Assembly, of the Security Council, of the Economic and Social Council, and of the Trusteeship Council, and shall perform such other functions as are entrusted to him by these organs." Article 99 states that "The Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security."
With rapid globalization, the world is becoming a global village with a rising level of interdependence. The international situation is also constantly changing. In this situation, it is a tough challenge for the UN to achieve its mission of ensuring international peace and collective security, promoting international economic and social development and protecting the world from threats and potential destruction.
A recent report assessing current threats facing the international community strongly recommended the strengthening of the secretary-general's role of improving the UN's organization. It is necessary to give the secretary-general greater resources and power and expand the functions of the secretariat so that it can better support the secretary-general in dealing with international affairs.
Another suggestion was to appoint a second deputy secretary-general with special responsibility for peace and security issues, who will be able to reduce the burden on the secretary-general.
By increasing the powers of the secretary-general, the UN will be better able to monitor the social, economic and development of its member nations. It will be able to act swiftly to resolve any threats to international peace, thereby increasing the influence of the UN.
Chen Lung-chu is the chairman of the Taiwan New Century Foundation.
Translated by Ian Bartholomew
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