UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday said his successor Antonio Guterres is a “wonderful choice” to lead the world body during the current times of insecurity and uncertainty, and commended his work from the “front-lines” of armed conflict and contribution for women’s empowerment.

“Secretary-General-designate Guterres is well known to all of us in the hall but he is perhaps best known where it counts most: on the frontlines of armed conflict and humanitarian suffering,” Secretary-General Ban said as he congratulated Guterres on his appointment as the next Secretary General of the UN.

The 193-member UN General Assembly today unanimously appointed Guterres as Ban’s successor for a five year term beginning January 1, 2017.