UNITED NATIONS, June 7 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appointed Shireen L. Dodson of the United States as UN ombudsman.

Dodson, who succeeds Johnston Barkat, brings to the position over 30 years of diverse leadership experience in business, government and non-profit organizations, said Guterres' press office.

She is currently ombudsman of the U.S. State Department, a position she assumed in 2010.

Dodson holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Seton Hall University.