UNITED NATIONS, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The UN General Assembly on Monday confirmed the appointment of Supachai Panitchpakdi to a second term as secretary-general of the UN Conference on Trade and Development.

    The second term, which begins Sept. 1, runs through Aug. 31, 2013.

    Supachai, an economist-turned politician, began his first four-year term as UNCTD secretary-general on Sept. 1, 2005.

    He earlier served as deputy prime minister and minister of commerce of Thailand.

    The 63-year-old Thai was also the former director-general of the World Trade Organization.