The leadership issue in the UN after the Cold War in the framework of leadership theories: Kofi Annan years, 1996-2007

The United Nations, which was established in the aftermath of the Second World War in order to ensure international peace and security, consist of six main bodies: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretary-General. The secretary-general, who is the public face of the United Nations, is the bureaucratic leader of the organization. Although the Secretary General is seen as a leader, the problems in the United Nations system narrow the scope of the Secretary General's movement and make him a dependent leader. The hypothesis of this study is in this direction, too. Although Kofi Annan had leadership qualities, due to the system problems he was unable to lead the UN at the most necessary times and could not make the necessary interventions. This study's aim is demonstrating what kind of a leadership was displayed by Kofi Annan, who had served as the Secretary General of the United Nations for two terms between 1996 and 2007. In this context, in the first part of the study, traditional and modern leadership theories are examined. The literature review method was used in this study consisting of three sections in total. In this respect, primary and secondary sources were utilized. The second part of the study provides information on the structure of the United Nations' organization. In the third chapter, Kofi Annan's leadership and its effects are discussed within the framework of international crises intervened by the UN and this constitutes the limitations of the thesis. Keywords: United Nations, Leadership, Kofi Annan