Mr. d’Escoto, 75, will assume the post on 16 September, the first day of the 63rd session of the Assembly. His election follows the unanimous endorsement of his candidacy in March by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean countries (GRULAC) within the United Nations, whose turn it was to nominate a president under the principle of regional rotation.

After the election, Mr. d’Escoto told the Assembly that it was vital for Member States to work together on goals ranging from the maintenance of peace and security to the battle to eradicate poverty and hunger to ensure that the UN lives up to its name.

“Our nations must be united in the struggle to democratize the United Nations, united in their determination to preserve the world… for the sake of present and future generations,” he said.

The current Assembly President, Srgjan Kerim, congratulated Mr. d’Escoto – who served as foreign minister in Nicaragua between July 1979 and April 1990 – on his appointment.

“Throughout his life, Mr. d’Escoto has worked with great dedication to help people living in poverty, to overcome social injustice and by assisting in the aftermath of several natural catastrophes,” he said.

Mr. Kerim stressed the importance of continuity in the Assembly’s work, particularly in such priority issues as the current global food crisis, climate change, international terrorism and flagrant abuses of human rights.

Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro said Mr. d’Escoto’s “long and varied career” in the international and humanitarian arenas would serve him well at the UN.

“The world is increasingly turning to the United Nations to solve global problems, and the work of the General Assembly is critical to meeting these high expectations,” she said. “By joining forces under the leadership of the President, we can forge effective responses that will make a difference in the lives of millions of people across the world.”

Today the Assembly also selected the Member States whose representatives will serve as the 21 vice-presidents during the next session. Those countries are Afghanistan, Bolivia, Cameroon, China, Egypt, France, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Portugal, Russia, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, Spain, Togo, the United Kingdom and the United States.

News Tracker: past stories on this issue

Former Nicaraguan foreign minister set to be next General Assembly President