Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Q4. What role can the UN Secretary-General play in the peaceful settlement of international disputes? Highlight the constraints on the exercise of this role. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: NIE
Why the question
UN Secretary-General’s role in international peace and security, particularly amid contemporary conflicts and increasing geopolitical divisions.
Key Demand of the question
Explain the diplomatic and institutional role available to the UN Secretary-General in peaceful dispute settlement. Examine the political, institutional and structural constraints that limit the effectiveness of this role.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Introduce the Secretary-General’s position under the UN Charter and its evolution into an important instrument of preventive diplomacy and peacemaking.Body
- Role in peaceful settlement: Explain how the Secretary-General can facilitate dispute resolution through constitutional authority, diplomacy, mediation and other peaceful mechanisms.
- Constraints on the role: Highlight how sovereignty, great-power politics, institutional limitations and dependence on member-state cooperation restrict the Secretary-General’s effectiveness.
Conclusion
Conclude by emphasising the need to strengthen the Secretary-General’s preventive-diplomacy capacity and political space while retaining the impartiality essential to the office.
