United Nations, Jul 3 (IANS): Jan Eliasson of Sweden was sworn in as the UN deputy secretary-general here Monday, Xinhua reported.
Eliasson "has had substantial experience at the United Nations serving in a number of different capacities," UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said at a daily news briefing.
Eliasson has been praised by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for "his 'instrumental' leadership as president of the 60th Session of the general assembly," said Nesirky.
During his time as the general assembly president, Eliasson was responsible for passing reforms that included the establishment of the Human Rights Council.
The role of deputy secretary-general was established in 1997 by the General Assembly as part of the UN reform to help manage the operations of the UN Secretariat.