The UN Secretary-General, role expansion and narratives of representation in the 2016 campaign

Abstract

The contribution of bureaucratic actors, such as those of the UN Secretary-General, has been a focus in the study of individuals' contribution to international relations and the study of UN reform. In this context, role expansion has been a central concern. In January 2017 a new Secretary-General took office on the 38th floor of the United Nations, following a successful campaign to reform the selection process by increasing its transparency. Despite different campaign foci, campaign groups framed their claims for reform in the context of 'representation', which shaped expectations and understanding of the role and its authority. Expectations play a key role in role expansion beyond personality, leeway or institutional demand. This paper discusses the representation of states, gender and the people as referents for the SG's role, which corresponds to campaign claims regarding regional rotation, a woman Secretary-General and greater independence for the Secretary-General.

The United Nations at Seventy-Five: Where Are the Women in The United Nations Now?

“…12 While the outcome of the major campaign in 2016 to name a woman as the ninth UN Secretary-General was disappointing, the idea of a woman UNSG gained considerable support from member states and the media. 13 The new UNSG Antόnio Guterres noted the importance of gender equality in his opening speech, calling it both "an urgent need and a personal priority…a moral duty and an operational necessity." 14 Appointing an all-female team of top advisers in 2017, the UN hit a milestone in early 2018 in achieving full gender parity in its senior leadership-23 out of 44 posts that make up the UNSG's Senior Management Group or cabinet.…”

The United Nations Secretary-General as an International Civil Servant

“…Given the outlined historical trajectory of international secretariats and civil service and the aims of their diplomatic means, it is not surprising that Secretaries-General, from the beginning of the UN, set out to push for a broad notion of serving "the people." 121 Since s/he is not responsible for a particular government, the Secretary-General is even more attuned to practice this idea of serving peace for the peoples of the world rather than only the interest of the organization. 122 The trajectory of the Secretary-General's understanding of their international civil servant role illustrates that aspirations and demands for a more expansive and active role are not exclusionary and have always been present.…”