United Nations is one of the organisation that help all the countries together facing the threat and opportunity around the world. United Nations is an international organisation that consist of 193 countries members are from around the world. Why United Nations was established? United Nation was established were to save the next generation from the war, reaffirm faith in human right, maintaining international peace and security, fostering social and economic development, protect the environment, provide humanitarian aid in case of famine, natural disaster and armed conflict, and to develop friendly relations among nations on principles of equal right and self-determination. This organization has been known around the world since the world-war II. The current Secretary-General of United Nation is Ban Ki-Moon. He hold the responsibility to manage the organization so that United Nation will move smoothly and they can perform their work well. He also hold the responsibility for the people around the world .He must take care of the countries and also the people. Through the management, they faced many challenges around the world. Human rights, humanitarian assistance, justice and international law, nuclear, chemical and conventional weapons disarmament, drug control, crime prevention, and counter-terrorism were some obstacle that United Nation faced. But the mange to handle it with the help of all the countries. They cooperates with each other in order to solve the problems. Therefore, secretary general must have good character that can lead the organization .Some of the qualities that secretary must have is have high intelligence to avoid treat and grab opportunity and they can think properly in order to manage conflict that happened in the world. All of this qualities can determined the successful of the organization. There are many role that secretary general played during his management of the organization such as in administrative, peace-making, and mediation. During his management of the United Nation, he promoting sustainability development, empowering women in the administrative, supporting countries facing crisis and problem, generating new momentum on disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation and strengthen the United Nations until it successful. He plays a lot of role in solving the problem that happened since he was appointed as a secretary general A lot of reformation that he make since his management. It is clearly shown when he empowering women in administrative. Seldom leader focusing or give a chance to women to organize an organization. But Ban-Ki Moon trusted that power of women can bring success in the United States. He does not hesitated to give high position to women in the organization. Some people just think that women should be in home and unworthy to govern an organization. Their low thinking like this has been changed by Ban Ki-Moon since his administration. A lot of improvement we can see in the countries of United States. For example in Africa, United Nation member’s state give their help and support to Africa to solve their crisis during this few years. (“UNITED NATIONS,” n.d.)
2. Introduction
United Nations (UN) is an international intergovernmental organization consisting of all 193 countries in the world, which seeks to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achieving world peace. The UN was established in 1945 to stop the war between the country and to provide a platform for dialogue. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt gives the name United Nation in 1941. The name that he given was the countries fighting against the Axis.
Picture 1- President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
It contains multiple subsidiary organizations to accomplished their mission. The history of UN begun after World War II, most government leaders recognize that humans are not capable of the Third World War. The UN was founded to replace the League of Nations who are cannot to maintain international peace and cooperation in solving problems of humanitarian, economic, and social.
The United Nations officially came into existence on the ratification of the Charter by the five UN Security Council members -Fixed-France, Republic of China, the Soviet Union, Britain and the United States-and by a majority of 46 signatories in 1945.
The function of UN is to maintain international peace and security which is determining the existence of a threat to the peace in this world. UN also maintain this role by peacekeeping. This role has been proven the most effective ways for UN to oversees host countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace. Today's multidimensional peacekeeping operations are called upon not only to preserve the peace and security, but to ease political processes, protect citiven, assist in the disarmament and protect human rights and assist in restoring the rule of law and extending legitimate state authority.(“UNITED NATIONS : HROmedia – International News| UN News| Human Rights News,” n.d.)
Vision Of United Nation
A United Nations that is a powerful force in meeting common global challenges and opportunities. (“Mission & Vision | World Federation of United Nations Associations | WFUNA,” n.d.)
Mission of United Nations
We work to build a better world by strengthening and improving the United Nations through the engagement of people who share a global mindset and support international cooperation–global citizens.(“Mission & Vision | World Federation of United Nations Associations | WFUNA,” n.d.)
Objective of United Nations
1. To maintain international peace and security and to take adequate steps to avert wars.
2. To develop friendly relations among nations on the basis of equality.
3. To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character.
4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.
(Ghai, 2014)
Important roles of United Nation
1. Maintain International Peace and Security by –
i) Preventive Diplomacy and Mediation
The best way to diminish human suffering and the great economic costs of conflicts is to prevent conflicts in the first place. . Among the tools the Organization uses to bring peace are special envoys and political missions in the field. The United Nations plays an vital role in conflict avoidance by using diplomacy, and mediation.
ii) Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping has recognized to be one of the best tools available to the UN to oversees host countries navigate the challenging path from conflict to peace. Peacekeeping operations get their mandates from the UN Security Council; their troops and police are contributed by Members States; and they are managed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and supported by the Department of Field Support at the UN Headquarters in New York. There are 16 UN peacekeeping operations currently deployed and there have been a total of 69 deployed since 1948. Today's multidimensional peacekeeping operations are just not only to maintain peace and security, but also to ease political processes, support constitutional processes, protect citizens, help in the disarmament, demobilization and the organization of elections, keep and promote human rights and assist in restoring the rule of law and extending legitimate state authority.
iii) Peacebuilding
United Nations peacebuilding activities are expected at oversees countries emerging from conflict, reducing the risk of reverting into conflict and at laying the foundation for maintainable peace and development. The United Nations peacebuilding architecture comprises the Peace building Fund, Peacebuilding Commission, and the Peacebuilding Support Office. The Peacebuilding Support Office helps and supports the Peacebuilding Commission with strategic advice and policy guidance, oversees the Peacebuilding Fund and helps the Secretary-General in directing UN agencies in their peacebuilding efforts.
iv) Countering Terrorism
The UN is being increasingly called upon to organize the global conflict against terrorism. 18 universal instruments against international terrorism have been expounded within the framework of the United Nations system related to specific terrorist activities. In September 2006, United Nations Member States accepted the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. This was the 1st time that Member States agree to a common strategic and operational framework against terrorism.
(“Maintain International Peace and Security | United Nations,” n.d.)
2. Promote Sustainable Development
A sustainable development portal, 2015 Time for Global Action for People and Planet, was launched by the United Nations in 2015. It highlighted on the UN’s post-2015 sustainable development agenda and consist of information on the UN’s efforts to tackle climate change. The United Nations is also working to improve the financing for development framework to make sure that both the sustainable development agenda and climate action are properly resourced. Furthermore ,the United Nations’ Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) works with governments and another stakeholders to make sure the decreasing of disaster losses in lives and assets of communities and countries to remain sustainability. Gender equality is not only an essential human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful,sustainable world and prosperous. United Nations women works to reduce discrimination against women and also allow all women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development. (“Promote Sustainable Development | United Nations,” n.d.)
3. Protect Human Rights
Picture 2 – Women and children have suffered devastating attacks in South Sudan’s Unity State
The United Nations Security Council, deals with human rights harms, often in conflict areas. The UN Charter give the Security Council the authority to make research and mediate, dispatch a mission, assign special envoys, or wish the Secretary-General to use his good offices. The Security Council might issues a ceasefire directive, a peacekeeping force or dispatch military observers. If this doesn’t work, the Security Council may for enforcement measures, such as economic sanctions, arms embargos, financial penalties and restrictions, travel bans, the severance of diplomatic relations, a barrier, or even collective military action. (“Protect Human Rights | United Nations,” n.d.)
CURRENT SECRETARY GENERAL
Below are the biography of the current secretary general of United Nation –
Name : Ban Ki-moon
Birth date : June 13, 1944 (age 72)
Place of Birth : Eumseong, South Korea
Marriage: Yoo Soon-taek (1971-present)
Children: Hyun-hee (1976) daughter, Woo-hyun (1974) son and Seon-yong (1972) daughter
Education : Education: Seoul National University, B.A., 1970; Harvard University, M.A., 1985
(“Ban Ki-moon,” 2016)
Timeline
1970 – Passes the South Korean Foreign Service exam.
1972-1974 – Vice-consul, South Korean Consulate General in India
1974-1978 – Second Secretary, South Korean Embassy in India.
1978-1980 – Secretary, South Korean Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations.
1987-1990 – Consul General, South Korean Embassy to the US in Washington D.C.
1992-1995 – Minister, South Korean Embassy to the US.
1996 – National Security Adviser to South Korean President Kim Young-sam.
1998-2000 – South Korean Ambassador to Austria.
1999 – Chairman of the preparatory commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization.
2001-2002 – Chef de Cabinet during the South Korean presidency of the UN General Assembly.
2003 – Foreign Policy Adviser to the South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.
January 2004 – Appointed South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
February 14, 2006 – Officially declares his candidacy for secretary-general.
October 9, 2006 – Formally nominated by the United Nations Security Council to be the next secretary-general, replacing Kofi Annan.
October 13, 2006 – Appointed by the UN General Assembly.
January 1, 2007 – Ban takes office as the eighth secretary-general of the United Nations.
March 22, 2007 – Makes an unannounced visit to Baghdad, Iraq to meet with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. During a live news conference with al-Maliki in Baghdad's Green Zone, a rocket hits just outside the room and Ban is visibly startled though unhurt.
January 20, 2009 – Tours the burned out ruins of UN compound in Gaza City which was destroyed by an Israeli bomb.
June 7, 2011 – President Barack Obama endorses Ban's run for re-election as secretary-general.
June 21, 2011 – Ban is appointed to a second term as UN secretary-general, by acclamation.
December 9, 2011 – Ban pays an unannounced visit to Mogadishu, Somalia, the first time a UN chief has visited Somalia in nearly 20 years.
April 30, 2012 – Addresses Myanmar's Parliament, becoming the first foreigner to do so since military rule began in 1962.
August 29-31, 2012 – Visits Tehran, Iran, for the meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement.
January 2014 – Invites Iran to attend the Geneva Conference on Syria. The Syrian opposition threaten not to attend the meeting if Iran takes part. The Iranian invitation is withdrawn.
March 2014 – Meets with members of political parties in Kiev, Ukraine.
(“Ban Ki-moon Fast Facts – CNN.com,” n.d.)
The role of security general
Equal parts diplomat and advocate, the Secretary-General is a sign of United Nations ideals and a spokesperson for the safety of the world's peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable among them. The current Secretary-General, and the 8th occupant of the post, is Mr. Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea, who took responsibilities on 1st of January 2007.
The Charter label the Secretary-General as a "chief administrative officer" of the organization, who shall act in that capacity and achieve "such other functions as are entrusted" to him or her by the Security Council, and other United Nations organs. The Charter also allows the Secretary-General to "bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the remain of international peace and security". The Secretary-General would fail if he did not take careful account of the concerns of Member States. These recommendations both describe the authority of the office and grant it considerable scope for action.
One of the most important roles play by the Secretary-General is the use of his "good offices" — steps taken publicly and in private, drawing upon his independence, impartiality and integrity, to avoid international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading.
Each Secretary-General also describe and adapts the role to avoid the challenges and grab the opportunities of a particular time in office.(Section, n.d.)
Issues That Faced By United Nation
• ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
the United Nation has shifted to the idea of sustainable development in part because of climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel, if climate change is left unchecked, it will increase the likelihood of severe, irreversible changes to our ecosystems. Sustainable development, because it is less risky to our ecosystems, can help in the fight against climate change. Sustainable development also help the development needs of the poor and most vulnerable, who have contributed the least to the climate change problems. (“Economic Growth and Sustainable Development | United Nations,” n.d.)
• Development of Africa
UN continues to work through the MDGs to strengthen Africa. Progress has been made towards the attainment of many of the MDGs, in particular those on gender equality education, and the empowerment of women and struggle with HIV/AIDS and other diseases. There are a lot of challenges remain for Africa, including controlling the spread of the Ebola virus, which, if not controlled, could give negative impact towards Africa's development. Significant progress has been made towards consolidating peace and securities in Africa, and reinforcement its democratic institutions. But tremendous work will have to be done before Africa is truly secure and at peace.(“Development of Africa | United Nations,” n.d.)
• Nuclear, Chemical and Conventional Weapons Disarmament
The dismissal of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, and nuclear non-proliferation remain high priorities for the organization. Ahead of the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, there has been only limited progress by the nuclear-weapon States, and strong concern has been voiced over continuing efforts by those States to update their nuclear arsenals and related infrastructure. The organization is supporting a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons. Nuclear-free zones contribute greatly to strengthening nuclear disarmament and to enhance the regional and international securities.(“Nuclear, Chemical and Conventional Weapons Disarmament | United Nations,” n.d.)
• Drug Control, Crime Prevention and Counter-terrorism
To help counter drug trafficking, the United Nation office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) delivers technical assistance to Member States. The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna is the governing body of UNODC and approves the budget of the Fund of the UN International Drug Control Programme . Which are accounts for over 90 per cent of resources available to the United Nation for drug control.In 2016, the UN General Assembly will make special session on the world drug’s problem, for which CND is now making the preparations. Thisconvention is the only international convention which dealing with organized crime, and offers States parties a framework for avoiding and combating organized crime.(“Drug Control, Crime Prevention and Counter-terrorism | United Nations,” n.d.)
Main resposbilities of Secretary General
i) Administrative.
The secretary-general controls the UN Secretariat, which handles UN operations, including translation, research, and media relations. The Secretariat the UN's executive office has a staff of close to 9000 people from about 170 different countries. Each secretary-general has took care his administrative responsibility differently. Boutros Boutros-Ghali streamlined the system by adding under-secretaries-general to handle the operations and report back. Hammerskjöld recognized a system of offices in charge of legal, political, personnel, and budgetary aspects of the secretariat.
ii) Human Resources.
The hiring of under-secretaries for nearly 50 United Nation posts, including the heads of funds such as UNDP and UNICEF, falls under the purview of the secretary-general. The important aspect of the hiring process involves lobbying from members to fill posts with their nationals, highlight the secretary-general's role and General Assembly ensure broad regional representation.
iii) Peacekeeping.
The secretary-general's should take the responsibility of control peacekeeping missions and assign the under-secretary in charge of that department. This including involving some 16 operations worldwide as of September 2008. The General Assembly or Security Council may recruit a peacekeeping mission, operational control rests with the Secretariat.
iv) Mediation.
This role involve the secretary-general's role as a mediator between the parties in engagement. As part of his "good offices" role the secretary-general makes use of his independence as the head of a global organization to avoid and stop the spread of conflict. The examples of United Nation leaders taking on mediation roles in the past include Hammarskjöld's promotion of an armistice between Arab states and Israel and Javier Perez de Cuellar's negotiation of a ceasefire to end the war
Source : (“The Role of the UN Secretary-General,” n.d.)
Qualities and dicipline needed by Secretary General
Below are the qualities that are needed by a secretary general in order to become an effective leader:
i) Practical intelligence
Practical intelligence is meaning that the secretary general is should be able to engage, for an example, in intelligent and sophisticated debate about the differences between functionalism and constructivism. It also means a lot more than capable to read in meetings from the right prompt cards. Furthermore , it also means an ability to see patterns and shapes in that data flow, and to be able to see opportunities and treat as they arise. A Secretary-General does not necessarily have to produce good ideas, but it is vital for he or she are able to know the good ideas to grab opportunities and avoid treat. Secretary General has to know enough about people and their weaknesses to have a chance of making the right personnel choices.
ii) Information
An effective Secretary-General have to escape from time to time from the comfortable insulation of the United Nations and reach out for the kind of information they really need. A Secretary-General once said that he liked about International Crisis Group reports that he found out was hearing in them, among other things, the real voices of his own people on the ground, giving the honest reality about troubled situations, and the performance of the United Nations and others in responding to them. Not the very often bowdlerized, gutted, and filleted version of that reality that makes its way up the system after everything that might effect offence to host governments, member states, and officials higher up the organizational food chain have been edited out.
iii) Thinking Time
Having information, and the practical intelligence to process it, are not much help if a Secretary-General never has time to properly think the issues through. This is an occupational problem for everyone in high office, but it is particularly acute for someone who has 191 heads of state and foreign ministers, just for a start, who feel they have an absolute right to waste his or her time whenever they feel like it.
Source : (“Comment: Qualities of an Effective Secretary-General,” n.d.)
3. Conclusion
In a nut shell, after I have finished my assignment I have learned many things about United Nations and the relationship between this organization and the roles of Secretary General that make this organization become successful in the eyes of the world. As a Secretary General or more specific to a leader, they must have the qood qualities and high level of discipline in order to maintain the security and peace of the world. They also act as third party or the middle person if there are some conflict happened between two countries. If they are failed to manage the organizations maybe they will spark the world war III