Who should lead the United Nations?

The United Nations Security Council votes to approve a resolution that would dramatically tighten existing restrictions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the United Nations Headquarters in New York March 2, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

This year, the United Nations will choose its next secretary-general. We need the best possible candidate for the job. It is often spoken of as the most impossible job in the world. And given the fact that the next UN secretary-general will take over on Jan 1, 2017, it is easy to see why: appalling conflicts and human sufferings in parts of the Middle East, Africa and Europe; violent extremism that is threatening us all; continued discrimination against women and girls; a worrying rise in xenophobia; over 800 million people struggling to escape extreme poverty; close to 60 million displaced around the world; a unique window-of-opportunity to address climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals before it is too late; and an organization that needs to adapt to the challenges and new goals the world is facing.

In its 70-year history, the UN, for all its flaws, has demonstrated that it can rise to such challenges. But to do so today, it must secure the best possible candidate through this year's process of selection and appointment of the next secretary-general.

What is the role of the UN secretary-general?

Many have suggested that the UN's most senior official should either be a secretary or a general. This is too simplistic, for the secretary-general must be both and more. A person with strong moral courage and integrity, he or she－and I do not see why the best candidate should not be a woman－must be a voice for the world's most vulnerable people and embody the very ideals and purposes of the UN.

As the world's top diplomat, the secretary-general must use his/her independence, impartiality and good offices to prevent conflict, broker peace and stand up for human rights. A person with political stature and strong leadership skills－with the authority to bring to the attention of the UN Security Council any matter which in one's opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.

As the chief administrative officer of the UN, the secretary-general must create a culture of integrity, fairness, competence and efficiency right across the UN family and oversee a huge organization with a budget of approximately $10 billion, a staff of over 40,000 and 41 peace operations worldwide.

The secretary-general must be a person with strong inter-personal and communication skills able to navigate smoothly in our increasingly multi-polar world and drive a global transition to sustainable development.