The United Nations General Assembly has voted to keep Ban Ki-moon as the head of the world body for another five years.

The 192-nation assembly Tuesday unanimously approved a second term for Secretary General Ban, set to begin on January 1.

Last week, the Security Council endorsed the bid of Mr. Ban, a 67-year-old former South Korean foreign minister. Mr. Ban said he was “deeply honored” by the vote.

He has been secretary-general since January 1, 2007. His second term will run through the end of 2016.

During his tenure, Mr. Ban has made climate change, disarmament, gender equality and peace and security among his top priorities. He has been a near-constant traveler, personally extending U.N. and international support to countries in crisis.

His critics say he has not been as outspoken as he should be on issues such as human rights and complain that his “quiet diplomacy” has failed in reining in the world's dictators and despots.