Breaking free: Dag Hammarskjöld, good offices and heads of international organisations

Besides being highly influential in establishing the role of heads of international organisations within international law, Dag Hammarskjöld's endeavours significantly altered the office of UN Secretary-General. In contemporary international law, heads of international organisations hold important positions. Dag Hammarskjöld's effect on the office of UN Secretary-General and, more particularly, on the good offices role of heads of international organisations, is arguably unparalleled. His impact was partly a consequence of the groundwork, at both the UN and League of Nations, of previous holders of the office of Secretary-General. Indeed Tryge Lie can be greatly credited for developing the office of UN Secretary-General. Nonetheless, these officeholders did not instigate the transformation achieved by Dag Hammarskjöld. He went beyond merely carrying out the office of Secretary-General; he understood what the office could conceivably become if developed correctly and, as such, greatly expanded its remit, establishing what is recognised as the contemporary role of heads of international organisations. Dag Hammarskjöld's impact is so potent that the role now played by heads of international organisations, and particularly the UN Secretary-General, in the contemporary international legal order would have been inconceivable before he entered office. Dag Hammarskjöld advanced the independent voice of heads of international organisations and the key role they play in conflict management and resolution. This chapter focuses on the UN Secretary-General and, more particularly, the role played by Dag Hammarskjöld in developing good offices. The purpose of this chapter is to consider Dag Hammarskjöld's impact upon the role of UN Secretary-General and good offices. This will be realised through an examination of both his good offices and those of the Secretaries-General who followed.