UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday appointed Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyaube of Spain as his high representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).

Moratinos will succeed, starting Jan. 1, 2019, Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser of Qatar, to whom the secretary-general expressed his gratitude "for his vision and leadership" in enhancing dialogue with stakeholders and strengthening the work and objectives of the alliance, according to a press release.

"Mr. Moratinos has committed his professional and political career to international relationships and development cooperation, notably as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (of Spain) (2004-2010), holding the presidency of the United Nations Security Council and chairmanships-in-office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe and the Council of the European Union," said the press release.

"As minister, Mr. Moratinos fostered effective multilateralism, the Alliance of Civilizations, the Group of Friends for the Reform of the United Nations and contributed to the creation of innovative programs for development, healthcare and women within the United Nations system, doubling his country's Official Development Assistance funds," it said.

UNAOC was launched in 2005 as the political initiative of Secretary-General Kofi Annan with the co-sponsorship of the governments of Spain and Turkey.