The U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday elected Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser of Qatar as its president for the 2011 to 2012 session. Al-Nasser is currently Qatar's ambassador to the United Nations, and his election by the 192-country assembly was made by acclamation. He is the choice of Asian states to lead the body for 12 months beginning in mid-September. The annual post of assembly president rotates among the world's regions and is currently held by former Swiss president Joseph Deiss, who represents Western Europe. The assembly, which represents all member states, will open its 66th annual session in mid-September, a week before the annual General Assembly meeting of world leaders. Al-Nasser said in accepting the appointment that he will advance U.N. programs to end famine and strengthen cooperation among developing countries. "I believe that my selection is aimed at strengthening the role of the UN," he said.
