A SACRED DUTY
- William Paton
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
How Can the Next UN Secretary-General Make a Difference?
3 May 2026
Summary
The author recalls a 1998 UN diplomatic success under Kofi Annan, contrasting it with today’s divided, ineffective Security Council. Growing dishonesty among world leaders — a deficit of virtue and a new era of “Coldness” — is weakening the United Nations and the wider world. The upcoming selection of a new Secretary-General risks prolonging the decline unless an outstandingly principled, inspiring leader emerges and meaningful reform is achieved.
Phuket — In February 1998, I was working for the United Nations in New York, responding to wars around the world and their aftermaths. One day, hundreds of us gathered in the foyer of UN Headquarters to greet Secretary-General Kofi Annan, returning from meeting Saddam Hussein to prevent another war — a mission he described as his “sacred duty.”
The United States and Britain had assembled a massive fleet in the Gulf, preparing for what could have been a devastating conflict. But not that day. The Secretary-General had secured a diplomatic solution that defused the standoff, allowing Iraq to sell more oil if it complied fully with weapons inspections mandated by UN resolutions — an arrangement widely seen as fair.
As he entered the lobby, staff broke into a tremendous cheer — a hero’s welcome. I still choke up remembering that moment. The world was watching as the UN fulfilled its potential.
Return of "Coldness"
In the 1990s, the UN Security Council experienced a welcome thaw and functioned relatively well. China and Russia worked with the United States, while Britain and France ceased using their vetoes. An unprecedented number of peacekeeping missions were authorized to help resolve the proxy conflicts of the Cold War era. International unity in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990 was also striking: the Security Council worked as intended.
Arguably, the UN’s most recent, truly "star" global moment was the signing of the Paris climate agreement at UN Headquarters on Earth Day 2016. For the organization to remain relevant, it must continue to capture the public imagination — and inspire.
Today, however, the UN has been sidelined in major conflicts. It has no political role to play in ending the Iran War — once again justified by a non-existent threat of weapons of mass destruction. The war in Ukraine grinds on with catastrophic losses, yet a divided Security Council cannot agree on meaningful action there either. Other wars — in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and elsewhere — receive limited attention.
The Security Council still controls multilateral mediation and peacekeeping, but in its current state of dysfunction, it can do very little. Its members often refuse to cooperate, then blame the UN itself for inaction.
A new era of “Coldness” has set in.
Decline of Virtuous Leadership
The idea that leaders should be virtuous is ancient. Confucius emphasized benevolence and moral integrity. Ashoka the Great renounced war and promoted ethical governance. In the West, Plato envisioned philosopher-kings, while Aristotle argued for practical wisdom, courage, and justice. Later thinkers like John Locke and Immanuel Kant maintained that leaders are duty-bound to serve the public good. The ideal endured, even when reality fell short.
Today, however, many leaders are markedly less virtuous, often betraying public trust. Dishonesty has become routine, with governments constantly generating false narratives. Transparency International’s 2025 survey found that 47 out of 182 national governments reached record highs in perceived corruption.
The UN, by contrast, still enjoys relatively strong global support. Pew Research finds that over 60% of people view it favorably, and over 70% do so in countries such as Sweden, Kenya, and Indonesia. In many places, the UN is trusted more than national governments. This is a tremendous opportunity with the potential to have historic consequences. It will be up to the next Secretary-General to take advantage of it, before it is squandered.
The Next UN Secretary-General
Five candidates have been officially nominated for Secretary-General, though one has withdrawn. Nominations remain open. Surely there should be more than four applicants for such a top job? The laudable expectation that the Secretary-General be a woman for the first time, along with respect for regional rotation, has considerably narrowed the field.
The selection process is likely to be especially contentious this time given pressure from major powers. In the United States, proposals in Congress include a zero contribution to the UN core budget, a 60% cut to peacekeeping (both Charter obligations), and the '"complete elimination" of support for almost all UN agencies. Such cuts would merely weaken the organization, not reform it.
Behind the scenes, candidates will face many undisclosed demands that further limit UN independence. There is even a risk of deadlock, leaving the current Secretary-General in place by default or requiring a caretaker — outcomes that would further disable the institution.
Ultimately, the Security Council’s permanent members must agree on a candidate to recommend to the General Assembly. The General Assembly should not then rubber stamp the recommendation as in the past. They should instead scrutinize the candidate's merits, for instance inviting them to meet with different groupings. If too many member states are unconvinced, the Assembly should ask the Council to find someone more suitable.
“It is for all UN member states to choose a Secretary-General, not just the permanent members of the Security Council. The General Assembly must make full use of its leverage in the appointment of a recommended candidate, including the prerogative to reject a recommendation."(1)
The next Secretary-General will have tools available to improve the role — from appointing stronger envoys to raising issues before the Security Council(2) — but these have often been underused. There is also a strong case for a high-level General Conference to consider reforms to the UN Charter, particularly regarding the Security Council. While recommendations could be made without a veto, implementation would still face that singular power.
Will the major powers support a candidate capable of shepherding real change? Or will they prefer someone merely compliant? There is a real risk that with weak leadership, reform will stall for another decade. Combined with more funding cuts, the UN’s effectiveness would be eroded more severely than ever and the public's confidence could wane.
To avoid that outcome, the next Secretary-General must be willing to take risks — even at the cost of a second term. At the same time, they must maintain cooperation among member states, a difficult balance.
They will need deep knowledge of the UN system, diplomatic skill, and independence. They may also need to appear more flexible than they truly are during the selection process, then demonstrate resolve once in office.
Strong communication will be essential. The UN’s voice today is far too quiet. It must speak more clearly and more forcefully about peace, justice, and its own role in the world. The Secretary-General must themself be a highly talented communicator, both in English and in at least one other UN language.
Above all, this moment calls for a leader of genuine integrity. Someone who inspires trust, acts with independence, and is committed to peace, justice and sustainable development.
If the world believes in the United Nations Secretary-General — in their moral authority and purpose — then a single decisive act at a critical moment, like that mission to Baghdad, could prove transformative.
It could change the world.
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1) Al Hussein, Zeid Ra’ad (1 May 2026,)The choice of the next Secretary-General could decide the UN’s fate, The Elders Newsletter, https://theelders.org/news/choice-next-secretary-general-could-decide-un-s-fate. 2) See Ryan, Jordan (26 April 2026), The Secretary General This Moment Demands, Policy Brief, Toda Peace institute, https://toda.org/publications/policy-briefs-and-reports/the-secretary-general-this-moment-demands/.
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