With a pledge to work for an integrated UN, former Tanzanian Foreign Minister Asha-Rose Migiro was sworn in as UN deputy secretary general on February 5, making her the first woman from the African continent to hold such a powerful position in the world body.

Migiro's appointment early last month was widely seen as a signal of new UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon's reform initiatives in the organization he took over on January 1. The UN chief had on several occasions said he would appoint a woman from the third world to the second highest post and made good on his promise with the selection of Migiro.

During Migiro's first meeting with the press at UN headquarters following a brief swearing-in ceremony, Ban voiced confidence in his deputy and remarked that "with her extensive knowledge and experience…she will bring leadership qualities to this organization."

The 50-year-old Migiro, a lawyer and former university lecturer, had served as the minister of community development, gender and children's affairs of Tanzania for five years, before serving as Tanzania's first female foreign minister in January 2006. Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said he was very proud of his former top diplomat.

Earlier, UN spokeswoman Michele Montas told media that the secretary general had emphasized Migiro was "not named because she's an African and because she's a woman, but essentially because of her qualifications."

Ban was also quoted by The Associated Press as saying he would be delegating much of the management and administration of the UN Secretariat to Migiro, as well as socioeconomic and development issues to ensure the functioning of the UN in a more effective and efficient manner.

Migiro is the third person to be appointed to the position of deputy secretary general since former UN chief Kofi Annan created the post in 1998.