World's Toughest Job

by Foreign Policy

The United Nations secretary-general has been said to hold the “most impossible job in the world.” And for just the 10th time in the organization’s history, a new candidate will soon be stepping into that role. Through immersive storytelling and voices from around the globe, World’s Toughest Job explores the challenges facing the next UN leader. Over eight episodes, we’ll examine how the secretary-general might make a difference on issues including economic turbulence, superpower rivalries, artificial intelligence, inequality, and climate change. This is about more than the one person who will step up to lead an organization. It’s an existential moment for the UN, the one place where countries have a voice and a vote. Get it wrong, and we all feel the consequences. Get it right, and it could mark a turning point for the organization … and the world. World's Toughest Job is a co-production of Foreign Policy and the UN Foundation.

Latest episodes

Showing 9 · updated from the feed

What Can the Next Secretary-General Do to Protect the Future?

In 1987, the United Nations called a huge meeting in Montreal to negotiate the phaseout of ozone-depleting chemicals. And… it worked. The ozone layer is healing. And the

Jun 30
47 min

Can the UN Still Act as the Emergency Platform the World Needs?

The 1997 East Asian financial crisis, the 2008 global food and energy crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic are all examples of global systemic shocks. And when the next sec

Jun 23
38 min

How Can a New Secretary-General Protect the Infrastructure We All Depend on?

The cables that carry most of the world’s data, the shipping lanes that carry its energy and goods, and the satellites that keep its financial systems running were all bu

Jun 16
38 min

As Another Economic Crisis Looms, How Should the UN Respond?

In 1994, United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali proposed a radical, new vision to reform the global financial infrastructure. He called it An Agenda for D

Jun 9
42 min

Does the UN Have a Seat at the AI Table?

In the United Nations’ early years, Secretary-General Trygve Lie negotiated with governments to stop the nuclear arms race. But today, the code that could reshape civiliz

Jun 2
36 min

Can the Next Secretary-General Deliver for the World’s Young People and Young Countries?

In 1960, when 17 African nations declared independence from colonial rule, the United Nations reinvented itself. Today, Africa and parts of Asia are home to the largest g

May 26
42 min

Can the Secretary-General Still Act as a Firebreak on Peace and Security?

During the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, United Nations Secretary-General U Thant had three things on his side: personal diplomacy, the UN’s neutrality, and a few preciou

May 19
44 min

What Kind of Leader Does the UN Need Right Now?

This year, 193 member states will elect a new secretary-general of the United Nations. Over the next eight episodes, we’ll ask how the next secretary-general might actual

Apr 28
38 min

Coming Soon: World's Toughest Job

Between now and the end of this year, 193 member states will elect a new secretary-general of the United Nations. This person will oversee a staff of tens of thousands ar

Apr 20
2 min