Secretaries & History — Set 2

Correct Answer: A. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru served as the fifth Secretary-General from 1982 to 1991. He is credited with successfully negotiating the end of the Iran-Iraq war. His tenure concluded just as the Cold War era was ending.

Correct Answer: A. 5 years

The Secretary-General is appointed for a term of five years, which is renewable. Traditionally, most occupants serve for two consecutive terms if they maintain international support. There is no specific limit on the number of terms in the Charter, but two has become the standard practice.

Correct Answer: C. India

The five permanent members (P5) are China, France, Russia, the UK, and the USA. India is a frequent non-permanent member but does not hold a permanent seat or veto power. The P5 must agree on a candidate before the name is sent to the General Assembly.

Correct Answer: D. Ban Ki-moon

Ban Ki-moon was the eighth Secretary-General and focused his efforts on climate change and global health. He was instrumental in the negotiation of the Paris Agreement on climate. His tenure also oversaw the transition from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals.

Correct Answer: A. International territory

The land where the UN headquarters sits is considered international territory and not part of the United States. It has its own security force, fire department, and even its own postal administration. This status ensures that the UN remains neutral and independent of the host nation's laws.

Correct Answer: C. U Thant

U Thant served for 10 years and one month, which is the longest tenure in UN history. He initially took over as acting Secretary-General after the death of Dag Hammarskjöld. He was later formally appointed and served two full terms.

Correct Answer: D. The Secretary-General

The Secretary-General is defined by the UN Charter as the 'chief administrative officer' of the organization. They oversee the work of thousands of UN staff members around the world. In addition to diplomacy, they are responsible for the daily functioning and budget of the UN.

Correct Answer: A. Geneva

Geneva, Switzerland, houses the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) at the Palais des Nations. It is a major center for international diplomacy, particularly for human rights and health. Several UN agencies like the WHO and ILO are also headquartered in this city.

Correct Answer: C. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar

Pérez de Cuéllar was the Secretary-General from 1982 to 1991, witnessing the dramatic shifts in the global political landscape. His diplomacy helped resolve conflicts in Central America and Cambodia during this period. He is often praised for maintaining the UN's relevance during a time of intense superpower rivalry.

Correct Answer: C. 6

The six official languages are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. All official UN documents must be translated into these languages. A Secretary-General is typically expected to be fluent in at least English and French.