Definition
The secretary-general of the UN is the closest thing to a "president of the world" that exists. But the secretary general represent member states- especially the five permanent Security Council members- and not the world's five billion people. The most recent secretary-general, Boutros Boutros-Ghali , is fond of calling himself just the "humble servant" of the member states. Judging from his inability to get the Security Council to follow his lead on peacekeeping, his humility would seem well justified. The secretary-general is nominated by the Security Council- requiring the consent of all five permanent members- and must be approved by the General Assembly. The term of office is five years and may be renewed. Boutros-Ghali is a "diplomat's diplomat" from Egypt, with decades of experience in foreign service and the UN. He played a key role in the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty of 1978. His assertiveness in the Security Council has caused frictions with permanent members of the Council, including his scolding them for giving him big mandates without adequate resources to carry them out.
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Fall 1993 Role Profiles Archive Boutros-Ghali Role Profile
UNCTAD IX Address of Boutros Ghali on 27 April 1996 TDL345