Who should lead the United Nations?

This year, the United Nations will choose its next secretary-general. We need the best possible candidate for the job. It is often spoken of as the most impossible job in the world. And given the fact that the next UN secretary-general will take over on Jan 1, 2017, it is easy to see why: appalling conflicts and human sufferings in parts of the Middle East, Africa and Europe; violent extremism that is threatening us all; continued discrimination against women and girls; a worrying rise in xenophobia; over 800 million people struggling to escape extreme poverty; close to 60 million displaced around the world; a unique window-of-opportunity to address climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals before it is too late; and an organization that needs to adapt to the challenges and new goals the world is facing.

In its 70-year history, the UN, for all its flaws, has demonstrated that it can rise to such challenges. But to do so today, it must secure the best possible candidate through this year's process of selection and appointment of the next secretary-general.

What is the role of the UN secretary-general?