United Nations Appoints New Secretary General

The 193-member United Nations General Assembly has unanimously appointed former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres as the ninth secretary-general of the world body for five years starting January 1, 2017

He beat out 12 other candidates — seven of whom were women — amid a push for the first woman to be elected.

Mr Guterres told the General Assembly that protection and empowerment of women and girls was a priority commitment.

He has pledged to work toward gender parity within the United Nations.

Mr Guterres, 67, will replace Ban Ki-moon, 72, of South Korea — Mr Ban will step down at the end of 2016 after serving two five terms.

Mr Guterres was Portugal's prime minister from 1995 to 2002 and UN High Commissioner for Refugees from 2005 to 2015.