New UN secretary general sworn in

António Guterres was sworn in as the new United Nations secretary general on Monday, paving the way for him to succeed Ban Ki-moon as head of the world’s foremost international body.

Guterres, the 67-year-old former Portuguese prime minister who most recently served as head of the U.N.’s refugee agency, will formally take office for a five-year term on Jan. 1. He’ll be the ninth U.N. head. He was tapped for the post following a unanimous decision of the U.N. Security Council.

{mosads}“Our duties to the people we serve is to move from fear of each other to trust in each other, trust in the values that bind us and trust in the institutions that serve and protect us,” Guterres said before the U.N.’s General Assembly, following a tribute to Ban.

“My contribution to the United Nations will be aimed at inspiring that trust, as I will do my best to serve our common humanity.”

Guterres was the socialist prime minster of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, and the U.N.’s high commissioner for refugees from 2005 to 2015.

Ban, who stepped down after two five-year terms at the U.N., received a standing ovation at his farewell tribute.

He is considered a possible presidential candidate in his home country of South Korea, following the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye on the heels of a political scandal.