The United Nations (UN) is run by its various organs and bodies, with the Secretary-General acting as its chief administrative officer. Currently, the Secretary-General is António Guterres, a Portuguese politician and diplomat.
The Role of the Secretary-General
- Chief Administrative Officer: António Guterres, the current Secretary-General, is the head of the UN Secretariat, which carries out the day-to-day work of the organization.
- Diplomatic Leadership: The Secretary-General also plays a vital role in global diplomacy, often acting as a mediator in international disputes.
Key UN Bodies
While the Secretary-General is a prominent figure, the UN is not run by a single person. It operates through different bodies, each with specific functions:
- The General Assembly: This is the main deliberative body of the UN, comprising all member states. It makes recommendations on various issues.
- The Security Council: This council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It has 15 members, including 5 permanent members with veto power (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States).
- The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): This council coordinates the economic, social, and related work of the UN system.
- The Trusteeship Council: Although currently dormant, this council was established to oversee territories under international administration.
- The International Court of Justice: This is the principal judicial organ of the UN, responsible for settling legal disputes between states.
How the UN Functions
The UN is a complex organization with multiple layers of governance.
- Member States: The UN is ultimately governed by its member states, who participate in the various organs and committees.
- International Cooperation: The UN promotes cooperation on a wide range of global issues, including peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development.
In summary, although António Guterres as the Secretary-General is the chief administrator, the UN is collectively run by its member states through its various organs and councils.
