secretary-general

[sek-ri-ter-ee-jen-er-uhl]

noun

plural

secretaries-general 

1. the head or chief administrative officer of a secretariat.

secretary-general

noun

1. a chief administrative official, as of the United Nations

Word History and Origins

Origin of secretary-general¹

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

The post of secretary-general is currently held by Brazilian Valdecy Urquiza, elected in November 2024 for a five-year term.

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"The position of Secretary-General is one of great importance and one that requires the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity and a firm commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations," said the joint letter from Sierra Leone ambassador and current Security Council president Michael Imran Kanu and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock.

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Some member states are advocating for a woman to be selected, and in its letter UN leadership noted "with regret that no woman has ever held the position of Secretary-General" and called on members "to strongly consider nominating women."

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Once the Security Council makes its recommendation, the Assembly can elect the Secretary-General to a five-year term that begins January 1, 2027, and is renewable once.

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The search for the next Secretary-General of the United Nations launched Tuesday, as member states were invited to send nominations to replace Antonio Guterres for the term starting in 2027.

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