GENEVA/UNITED NATIONS, Oct 21 (Reuters) – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has named Belgium's former Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to head the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), a letter dated October 20 and seen by Reuters on Tuesday revealed. The document appointing De Croo for a four-year term was signed by Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The decision still needs to be approved by the U.N. General Assembly at an unspecified time. "We look forward to the final outcome of the Member State process," said a UNDP spokesperson. The U.N. agency works in 170 countries and territories to try and wipe out poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion and promote sustainable development. Its previous head, Germany's Achim Steiner, stepped down in June at a time of crisis for the United Nations with donors cutting back aid and development programmes around the world. China's Haoliang Xu is currently interim head. (Reporting by Emma Farge and Michelle Nichols; editing by Kirsti Knolle)
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