The Key Figures in the formation of the United Nations 

On August 14, 1941 President Roosevelt of the United States and Prime Minister Churchill of the United Kingdom proposed a set of principles for an international organization to maintain peace and security in the world.

In May of 1940 Sir Winston Churchill became the new Prime Minister and Minister of Defense for Great Britain. He stayed in this office until 1945. On February 11, 1945 following the meetings at the Yalta Conference, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill and Premier Joseph Stalin declared their resolve to establish an organization to maintain peace and security in the world. This organization is the United Nations.

The Charter describes the Secretary General as the Chief Administrative Officer of the organization. The Charter empowers the Secretary General to bring the attention of the Security Council on any matter in which his opinion may threaten to maintain international peace and security. The Secretary General must take careful account of the concern of the Member Sates and must uphold the values and moral authority of the United Nations, and must speak and act for peace. The Secretary Generals day-to-day agenda includes consultations with world leaders, government officials and others. One of the most important roles played by the Secretary General is to prevent international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading.