Antonio Guterres, Portugal’s former prime minister, has been sworn in as Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The swearing in ceremony on December 12 positions Guterres to take over from the outgoing UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon from the beginning of 2017.
Guterres, who also formerly served as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, was elected by acclamation in the UN General Assembly in October.
The 67-year-old Guterres becomes the ninth UN chief in the world body's 71-year history.
Guterres’ executive experience as Portugal’s prime minister and as the UN’s refugee chief from 2005-2015 propelled him against 12 other candidates vying for the top UN post.
