Who appoints the Secretary-General of the UN?

The Secretary-General of the United Nations is appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. This process highlights the collaborative nature of the UN's governance structure, where the Security Council, consisting of its fifteen members—including five permanent members with veto power—proposes a candidate for the position. The General Assembly, which includes all member states, then votes on the recommendation. This two-step process ensures that the appointment has the backing of both the smaller, more powerful decision-making body (the Security Council) and the broader membership (the General Assembly), reflecting a balance between major powers and the principles of collective representation. The other options do not correctly represent the procedural framework established for this important role within the UN.