Asha-Rose Migiro of Tanzania was sworn in Monday as UN Deputy Secretary-General, pledging to bring about a more integrated United Nations.

Migiro signed a declaration in a brief swearing-in ceremony, pledging to exercise in all loyalty, discretion and conscience, the functions entrusted to her, with the interest of the United Nations only in view.

"In all I do I will strive to bring about a more integrated United Nations, which delivers as one," the former Tanzanian Foreign and Development Minister said after being introduced to the press by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following the ceremony. "I am also fully committed to supporting the priorities set by the Secretary-General," she said, adding these priorities include "strengthening the work of the United Nations, enhancing trust between member states and the Secretariat, and bolstering the working culture of the Organization to ensure it is equipped to meet the mandates our membership has given us."

Migiro, 50, the third ever and the second woman to fill the post, is now the highest ranking woman at the world body and the second highest among all of its officials, also stated that UN reform will be high on her agenda.

"I look forward to the task ahead with excitement and enthusiasm, but equally with profound humility, and above all I look forward to working with the Secretary-General to implement his vision," she said.

Migiro's first official day on the job was last Thursday, and she has continued to familiarize herself with her new post by meeting with representatives of member states as well as with numerous UN officials and staff.

Source: Xinhua