ABSTRACT
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is expected to play several different roles. The Charter defines him as “the chief administrative officer of the Organization” (Article 97) and requires him to make an annual report to the General Assembly (Article 98). But it also allows him to “bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security” (Article 99)—a clearly political responsibility. In practice, he is frequently called on to use his “good offices” to resolve or manage disputes through quiet diplomacy. Besides, the Member States often look to him for guidance on procedural matters, and sometimes for a lead on substantive ones, to help them find a common position.
