RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian Government on Friday welcomed the appointment of former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet as the new United Nations human rights chief.

A Foreign Ministry statement praised Bachelet's experience in the field of human rights, in particular her commitment to advancing gender equality in her capacity as the first executive director of United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, as well as her efforts to improve maternal and child health.

Bachelet will take office on Sept.1, succeeding Jordanian diplomat Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein.

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