The incoming UN chief, Antonio Guterres, stressed the prominent role played by Iran, a country with a strategic location and rich history, in the international arena, especially West Asia.
He made the statement in a Thursday meeting with Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations Gholamali Khoshrou at the UN's New York headquarters, IRNA reported.
Guterres hailed Iran's extensive support for several millions of mainly Afghan refugees residing in the country, referring to his experience as the UN high commissioner for refugees from 2005 to 2015.
The next UN chief said his first priority will be impartial and serious efforts to help solve international crises and ease pains of millions of hapless people around the world.
Khoshrou congratulated Guterres on his election to serve a five-year term by the favorable votes of all the UN's 193 member states on October 13, saying that "honest and humanitarian" efforts to deal with global issues will definitely help him succeed in fulfilling his duties toward the globe.
The Iranian ambassador described the spread of violence and extremism as the root cause of regional conflicts, adding that the Islamic Republic will spare no effort to cooperate with the UN for promoting peace and stability in West Asia.
Pointing to the July 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, Khoshrou urged Guterres to ask all parties to the pact to stick to their commitments.
Iran considers a recent bill passed by the US Congress to extend the Iran Sanctions Act for another decade as a breach of the deal and has vowed to take punitive measures.
Khoshrou invited Guterres to pay an official visit to Tehran in the near future.
Guterres, 67, on January 1 will replace South Korean Ban Ki-moon, 72, who steps down after serving two five-year terms.
Also serving as socialist prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, Guterres will be the first former head of government to helm the UN.
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