The term accountability is increasingly heard at the United Nations. More than six decades after the Organization's founding, people continue to ask exactly how the UN is accountable for what it does, and many agree that enhanced UN accountability is a prerequisite for its effectiveness in global governance. Nevertheless, the concept is elusive and rarely defined, and views have diverged on its proper meaning and various implications. The contributors to this volume identify key issues, raise pertinent questions and suggest directions for reforms regarding accountability in the context of the United Nations system.