Some American historians have long maintained that being US president is the most demanding position in the world. Overseeing the world’s biggest economy and military is an enormous undertaking. The officeholder’s decisions impact the lives of over 330 million Americans and potentially millions of others worldwide. However, the US presidency comes with great power and prestige.

Although some argue that the office of UN secretary-general is just as much of a pressure cooker, in many ways it is a thankless job. The UN, with its near-universal membership, is the international organization that most closely represents the international community in its entirety. Yet while the number of member states is impressive — 193 nations — it is the UN’s mandate as outlined in its Charter that is truly notable.

More than any other international institution, in the minds of millions worldwide it is the UN that is entrusted to maintain global peace and security. It also puts a high premium on promoting economic prosperity among the world’s 7.5 billion people. The one person who oversees this sprawling bureaucracy — the UN Secretariat alone employs some 9,000 people — with its many programs, offices and missions worldwide is the secretary-general.

Antonio Guterres became the ninth secretary-general in January this year. A former prime minister of Portugal and head of the UN’s agency responsible for protecting refugees for 10 years, he is well respected both inside and outside the organization. Whether it is his professional experience or natural temperament, Guterres seems to have already developed a comfort level in his new position, which some of his predecessors arguably never achieved.

He was in Saudi Arabia last week, where he met with senior leaders and held a press conference with Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, during which it was evident that Guterres was well-versed on the crises and issues confronting the Middle East, and comfortable addressing the press.

Perhaps just as importantly, he appears to possess a naturally positive disposition, a much-needed quality when many others seem to have abandoned all hope in restoring peace to several regions around the world.

The role of secretary-general is outlined in the UN Charter. A large component of the position is administrative, and includes overseeing personnel at the Secretariat and various programs. The secretary-general is also expected to function as the world’s foremost diplomat, and to use his “good offices” to mediate disputes between countries.

Guterres appears to possess a naturally positive disposition, a much-needed quality when many others seem to have abandoned all hope in restoring peace to several regions around the world.

Fahad Nazer

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• Fahad Nazer is an international affairs fellow with the National Council on US-Arab Relations. He is also a consultant to the Saudi Embassy in Washington, but does not represent it or speak on its behalf. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, CNN, The Hill and Newsweek, among others.