United Nations: Renowned author and UN Under Secretary Shashi Tharoor has been appointed as the world body's co-ordinator of questions relating to multilingualism.

Tharoor joined the world body in 1978 and rose through the ranks to his current position as the head of the Communication and Public Information Department.

His new responsibilities would be in addition to his current functions.

The author's appointment follows a General Assembly resolution requesting the appointment of a senior Secretariat official as co-ordinator of questions relating to multilingualism throughout the Secretariat.

PTI