The United Nations is run by its Secretary-General, currently António Guterres.
While "running" the UN is complex and involves many layers of leadership and cooperation among member states, the Secretary-General is the chief administrative officer. António Guterres took office on 1st January 2017, and is the ninth person to hold this position.
The Role of the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General is not simply an administrator. The role involves:
- Diplomacy: Mediating disputes between member states.
- Advocacy: Bringing attention to global issues like climate change and poverty.
- Administration: Overseeing the UN's vast bureaucracy.
- Representation: Representing the UN publicly and interfacing with world leaders.
Other Key UN Bodies
It's also important to note that while the Secretary-General is the head of the UN Secretariat, the UN's decision-making is shared among various bodies, especially:
- The General Assembly: Where all member states have a voice.
- The Security Council: Responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
- The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Focusing on economic, social, and environmental issues.
Therefore, while António Guterres, as Secretary-General, is the public face and administrative head, the UN operates through a complex interplay of its various organs and member states.
