The UN Secretary-General and the Mediation of International Disputes

The United Nations Secretary-General's third party role is stated generally in the organization's charter. This basis has been exploited to the extent possible, and sometimes beyond that, by the successive incumbents of this office, whose different styles of operation are briefly described. The Secretary-General does not command economic or physical power, but has to rely on the moral status emanating from the principles of the charter, and on reputed impartiality. Political support from member governments is also important, but he cannot court the favours of any particular geographical or ideological grouping. He cannot operate against the express wish of the Security Council, but the Council depends on the services he can offer as chief executive. The personal skills of the Secretary-General and his staff are crucial to their function. The central position of the UN headquarters in the international diplomatic network is also an important asset. The Secretary-General has the right to place any dispute on the provisional agenda of the Security Council. However, he works mostly behind the scenes if the members of the council are unwilling to discuss a dispute. Most of his time is spent on good offices missions and mediation, sometimes at the request of deliberative organs of the UN, but also frequently on his own initiative. His function may be frustrated, replaced or supplemented by mediation efforts by the major powers. UN peace-keeping missions are often closely linked to mediation (peace-making). The recent improvement in relations between the permanent members of the Security Council has strengthened the role of the Secretary-General as the world's most reputable intermediary.