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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to journalists on the appointment of Michelle Bachelet at the UN headquarters in New York, Aug. 10, 2018. The United Nations General Assembly on Friday approved former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet as the next UN human rights chief by acclamation. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations General Assembly on Friday approved former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet as the next UN human rights chief by acclamation.

Bachelet will replace Jordanian diplomat Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, and begin her 4-year term starting Sept. 1, 2018 and expiring Aug. 31, 2022.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday proposed to appoint Bachelet for the key post of High Commissioner for Human Rights that is headquartered in Geneva.

Bachelet served as president of Chile from 2014 to 2018 and 2006 to 2010.

The UN human rights chief is the principal official who speaks out for human rights across the whole UN system, strengthening human rights mechanisms, enhancing equality, fighting discrimination in all its forms, widening the democratic space and protecting the most vulnerable from all forms of human rights abuse.