by Boutros Boutros-Ghali

About the author: Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt began a five-year term as secretary general of the United Nations in January 1992.

A new chapter in the history of the United Nations has begun. With newfound appeal the world organization is being utilized with greater frequency and growing urgency. The machinery of the United Nations, which had often been rendered inoperative by the dynamics of the Cold War, is suddenly at the center of international efforts to deal with unresolved problems of the past decades as well as an emerging array of present and future issues.

Peacekeeping Is a Growth Industry

The new era has brought new credibility to the United Nations. Along with it have come rising expectations that the United Nations will take on larger responsibilities and...