NEW YORK — The UN General Assembly on Thursday formally appointed Antonio Guterres as the new secretary-general of the United Nations, in a shift towards a more high-profile leadership of the world body. The 193 member states adopted by consensus a resolution naming the former prime minister of Portugal as UN chief for a five-year term beginning January 1. The socialist politician, who also served as UN refugee chief for a decade, is expected to play a more prominent role as the world’s diplomat-in-chief than Ban Ki-moon, the South Korean who will step down after two five-year terms. Guterres was greeted by loud applause as he entered the packed hall following the vote. In his speech he pledged to act as an “honest broker“ and said he would take a humble approach in trying to deal with global issues, with human dignity at the core of his work. “Diversity can bring us together, not drive us apart,” Guterres told the General Assembly. “We must make sure that we are able to break this...
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