1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated October 13, 2016United Nations Issues: Appointing the U.N. Secretary-GeneralThe second five-year term of United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General (SG) Ban Ki-moon ends on December 31, 2016. For the past several months, the U.N. Security Council and General Asse
2、mbly have considered candidates to serve as the ninth SG. On October 6, the Council recommended Antnio Guterres of Portugal, and the Assembly appointed him on October 13. Guterres served as the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002 and as the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2
3、015. His term will begin on January 1, 2017. The United States maintains a significant interest in the SG appointment process, with the hope that the perspectives and policies of the new SG align with U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities. As one of five permanent members of the Counc
4、il with veto power, it has considerable influence in the selection of the SG. Role of the Secretary-General The duties of the SG are both administrative and political. Article 97 of the U.N. Charter describes the SG as the “chief administrative officer” of the United Nations and head of the U.N. Sec
