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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · International Organisations

Secretary-General

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

nounCore term

In international relations & diplomacy, Secretary-General means: The head of the United Nations Secretariat and the UN's chief administrative officer; the title is also used for the heads of other organisations, such as NATO.

In Turkish: Genel Sekreter, BM Genel Sekreteri

How it is used

The UN Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council, usually for a five-year term. The role combines administration with quiet diplomacy, 'good offices' and public statements. The plural is 'Secretaries-General'.

Example sentences

  1. The Secretary-General called on all parties to show restraint.

  2. The Secretary-General's report will be presented to the Security Council next week.

  3. The alliance's Secretary-General chairs the main meetings of its member states.

Common collocations

  • UN Secretary-General
  • Deputy Secretary-General
  • Secretary-General's report
  • spokesperson for the Secretary-General
  • United NationsThe global organisation set up in 1945 to keep international peace and security, build friendly relations between nations and encourage cooperation; almost every state is a member.
  • General AssemblyThe main body of the United Nations in which all 193 member states are represented, each with one vote; it discusses global issues and adopts resolutions and the UN budget.
  • Security CouncilThe UN organ with primary responsibility for international peace and security. It has 15 members and can take decisions, such as sanctions, that all UN member states must carry out.
  • envoyA person sent by a government or international organisation on a special diplomatic mission, often to help with negotiations on a particular issue.

More terms: International Organisations

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