South Korea's Ban Ki-moon has been sworn in as the eighth UN secretary-general, pledging to be a "bridge-builder" when he takes over the post on January 1.
Ban took the oath of office at the 192-nation UN General Assembly in New York in a ceremony that also honoured Kofi Annan, outgoin
A former foreign minister, Ban was selected by the 15-member UN Security Council in October. He was later approved by the UN general assembly, becoming the first Asian head of the organisation in 35 years.
Harmoniser
In a speech after his oath of office, Ban outlined his vision for the international organisation.
"By strengthening the three pillars of our United Nations - security, development and human rights - we can build a more peaceful, more prosperous and more just world for succeeding generations," Ban told ambassadors from UN member states.
"As we pursue our collective endeavor to reach that goal, my first priority will be to restore trust. I will seek to act as a harmoniser and bridge-builder."
Ban said that world governments required a "dynamic and courageous" UN, and not one that was "passive and fearful".
In delivering the oath, Ban swore "not to seek or accept instructions in regard to the performance of my duties from any government or other authority external to the organisation".
Ban will start his five-year term with an agenda that includes issues such as nuclear proliferation, international terrorism and internal reform.
Iran
Asked at a news conference about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, and the recent two-day Holocaust conference in Iran, Ban said: "Denying historical facts especially on such an important subject as the Holocaust is just not acceptable.
"Nor is it acceptable to call for the elimination of states or people. I would like to see this fundamental principle respected in both rhetoric and practice by all members of the international community."