New York  - New Zealand's former Prime Minister Helen Clark was appointed on Thursday the administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), which holds the largest purse in the UN system to assist developing countries.

Clark, who will replace Kermal Dervis of Turkey, was selected from a short list compiled by a senior appointment panel headed by Deputy Secretary General Asha Rose Migiro.

"Helen Clark was selected amongst a group of excellent candidates for her outstanding qualifications and numerous accomplishments in her long career," the UN said. It said Clark has the needed leadership and international recognition to lead UNDP.

UNDP has an annual budget of 5 billion dollars, which it uses to assist development projects in poor countries, from building schools to infrastructure efforts.

Clark has been a member of New Zealand's parliament since 1981 and was prime minister from 1999 to 2008. (dpa)