secretarygeneral

Secretary-General (also written Secretary General) is the title of the chief administrative officer and principal spokesperson of several international organizations, most prominently the United Nations. The holder of the office leads the organization’s secretariat, helps set agendas, and represents the body in diplomacy, mediation, and international relations.

In the United Nations system, the Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly upon the Security Council's recommendation, for a five-year term that may be renewed. The role is non-executive in the sense that political leadership is derived from member states, but the office wields significant influence in agenda-setting, peacekeeping, and humanitarian initiatives. The Secretary-General oversees senior officials, coordinates programs, and can use advocacy to mobilize international action.

Notable secretaries-general include Dag Hammarskjöld, U Thant, Kurt Waldheim, Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, and António Guterres, each contributing to the organization during periods of crisis and reform.

Other organizations, such as NATO, the OSCE, and Interpol, also designate a Secretary-General as the head of their secretariat, though appointment procedures and powers vary by organization.