In eight decades, nine Secretaries-General have led the UN.
Foreign AffairsInternational
- Omissions
- Gladwyn Jebb (United Kingdom) served as Acting Secretary-General from 24 October 1945 to 1 February 1946 before Trygve Lie took office. He is not included in the official numbered list of Secretaries-General, but some historical counts include him, which would yield a total of 10. The official UN count, however, is 9.
- The UN was founded on 24 October 1945; as of the session date (19 May 2026) the timespan is approximately 80 years and 7 months, which aligns with the 'eight decades' formulation.
- Sources
- PrimaryUnited Nations — Former Secretaries-GeneralThe page lists the former Secretaries-General: Ban Ki-moon (2007–2016), Kofi Annan (1997–2006), Boutros Boutros-Ghali (1992–1996), Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (1982–1991), Kurt Waldheim (1972–1981), U Thant (1961–1971), Dag Hammarskjöld (1953–1961), and Trygve Lie (1946–1952). Together with the incumbent António Guterres (2017–present), this yields a total of exactly nine Secretaries-General.
- PrimaryUnited Nations — Ask DAG (Dag Hammarskjöld Library FAQ)Lists all Secretaries-General: António Guterres (2017–present), Ban Ki-moon (2007–2016), Kofi Annan (1997–2006), Boutros Boutros-Ghali (1992–1996), Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (1982–1991), Kurt Waldheim (1972–1981), U Thant (1961–1971), Dag Hammarskjöld (1953–1961), Trygve Lie (1946–1952). Also notes: 'Gladwyn Jebb, from the United Kingdom, served as Acting Secretary-General from 24 October 1945 – 1 February 1946.' The numbered Secretaries-General total nine.
- SecondaryStudy.com — United Nations Secretary-General | History, Role & ListStates explicitly: 'In sum, there have been nine UN Secretaries-General. They are: Trygve Lie of Norway (1946–1952); Dag Hammarskjöld of Sweden (1953–1961); U Thant of Myanmar (1961–1971); Kurt Waldheim of Austria (1972–1981); Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru (1982–1991); Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt (1992–1996); Kofi Annan of Ghana (1997–2006); Ban Ki-moon of South Korea (2007–2016); and António Guterres of Portugal (2017–present).'