I. Secretary-General Overview

Question 1

What is Article 99 about?

Answer 1

“The Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”

–> highlights the independence of the role of the SG, autonomy & flexibility in interpreting his own role.

Question 2

What is Article 98 about?

Answer 2

“The Secretary-General shall act in that capacity in all meetings of the General Assembly, of the Security Council, of the Economic and Social Council, and of the Trusteeship Council, and shall perform such other functions as are entrusted to him by these organs. The Secretary-General shall make an annual report to the General Assembly on the work of the Organization.”

–> the SG has the right to put an item on the agenda of the Assembly. All SGs have used this opportunity of the submission of an annual report to make constructive, and sometimes controversial proposals to the UN.

Question 3

What are good offices?

Answer 3

refers to the independent political role that the SG plays in prevention or management of conflicts.

Question 4

Name all Sec-Gens in order with their term of service

Answer 4

1. Trygve Lie; Feb 1946 - Nov 1952
2. Dag Hammarskjold; April 1953 - September 1961
3. U Thant; Nov 1961 (Acting), Nov 1962 - Dec 1971
4. Kurt Waldheim; Jan 1972 - Dec 1981
5. Javier Perez de Cuellar; Jan 1982 - Dec 1991
6. Boutros Boutros-Ghali; Jan 1992 - Dec 1996
7. Kofi Annan; Jan 1997 - Dec 2006