The Government has condemned Zimbabwe's election to lead the United Nations' Sustainable Development Commission as outrageous and "wholly inconsistent" with the body's aims.
Francis Nhema, Zimbabwe's minister of environment and tourism, was nominated for the post by Africa and their recommendation was approved on Friday night in a vote of 26-21.
But his election comes as his country faces its worst economic crisis since independence and in the face of widespread criticism of its President, Robert Mugabe.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Ian Pearson reacted angrily to the appointment, claiming it would be seen "as an outrage by the millions of people who look to the UN for help to escape from poverty".
He said: "They will be asking how the body charged with promoting sustainable development will be able to maintain credibility whilst being chaired by a representative of a government whose failed policies have destroyed its own economy.
"How can a once-food-rich country where 1.8 million people now depend on food aid be expected to give its authority to the UN's work on critical issues such as agriculture, rural development and land use?"
Mr Pearson added: "Zimbabwe's election is wholly inconsistent with the aims of the Commission and the good work it achieves on urgent development issues."
Minister for Africa Lord Triesman also stressed his opposition to the appointment, saying: "For a Zimbabwean minister to chair the Commission while his own people suffer the appalling consequences of his government's policies, is wholly inconsistent with the Commission's aims.
"It damages the credibility of the Commission itself and its ability to deal with issues affecting the livelihoods of millions from the poorest countries."
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President Mugabe, 83, has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980 and 27 years on it is facing acute shortages of food and many other basic goods.
