Stormont's first nationalist First Minister Michelle O'Neill has pledged to work with unionists to build a better future for Northern Ireland.
The appointment of the Sinn Féin vice president provided a moment of history on the day the power-sharing institutions returned after a two-year hiatus.
DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly was nominated as deputy First Minister.
While the two top jobs in the ministerial executive wield equal power and responsibility, the elevation of a nationalist to the office of first minister is a significant symbolic moment for Northern Ireland.
When Northern Ireland was created in 1921 its founders were confident they had secured a built-in permanent Protestant and unionist majority.
"A Protestant Parliament and a Protestant state" is how former Northern Ireland prime minister James Craig put it in 1934.
In the decades since, all 11 heads of government at Stormont have been unionists and Protestants.
Ms O'Neill has broken that cycle by becoming the first Catholic and nationalist First Minister.
Addressing the chamber after her appointment was confirmed and she affirmed the pledge of office, Ms O'Neill said the restoration of the institutions marked a "moment of equality and progress".
"A new opportunity to work and grow together," she said.
"We must make power-sharing work because collectively, we are charged with leading and delivering for all our people, for every community," she said.
"In common cause we must make life better for workers, families, communities. To create hope and opportunity."
Earlier, DUP leader Edwin Poots was elected as the Speaker of Stormont.
A series of ministerial positions across Stormont departments were also filled this afternoon, using the D'Hondt mechanism based on party strengths.
The Alliance Party's Naomi Long resumes as Justice Minister, with Sinn Féin's Conor Murphy appointed as Economy Minister.
DUP MLA Paul Givan is the Education Minister, the Alliance Party's Andrew Muir is the new Agriculture Minister, while Sinn Féin's Caoimhe Archibald becomes Finance Minister.
The DUP's Gordon Lyons becomes Communities Minister, Robin Swann of the UUP remains as Health Minister and John O'Dowd of Sinn Féin was appointed as Infrastructure Minister.
The final ministers to be announced were Aisling Reilly (Sinn Féin) and Pam Cameron (DUP), who will serve as junior ministers in the Executive Office.
Meanwhile, SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole will be leader of the Opposition.
The DUP, the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland, gave the green light for the recall of the political institutions on the back of its deal with the UK government, which party leader Jeffrey Donaldson said effectively removed the so-called Irish Sea trading border.
On Thursday, two pieces of legislation contained in the agreement were fast-tracked through the House of Commons, opening the way for the Assembly to return.
Speaking at parliament buildings earlier today, Mr Donaldson said it has been a challenging journey over the past two years but he believes his party has delivered "what many said we couldn't".
"We brought about change that many said was not possible and I believe today is a good day for Northern Ireland."
He said it is a day when parties come together and take on the responsibility of providing "good government" for the people of Northern Ireland and "address the many issues that confront them at this time".
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described today as "very significant" and a "red letter day".
Speaking as she arrived at Stormont, Ms McDonald said it was a historic day as the Executive and the Assembly are "going live, doing the work on behalf of people everywhere across the North", but also as it's the first time there will be a republican and nationalist first minister.
"There's a lot of work to do, we are all very conscious of that, but it's a great day all round," she said.
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Key among the priorities of new ministers will be dealing with the budget crisis which is affecting public services in Northern Ireland.
The UK government has offered a £3.3bn (€3.5bn) package to secure Northern Ireland's finances when the Assembly returns, including £600m to settle public sector pay claims.
However, Mr Donaldson indicated yesterday that the parties would be working together to secure more money from the UK Treasury.
While Mr Donaldson has secured the backing of a majority of party colleagues to accept the deal, there are those within the DUP who remain deeply sceptical of the agreement to restore power-sharing.
The DUP leader is also facing opposition from elements of unionism outside his party.
TUV leader @JimAllister pledges that he will remain "a thorn in the side" at the Stormont Assembly. Good soundbites guaranteed @rtenews pic.twitter.com/XBuT5l7r0T
— Vincent Kearney (@vincekearney) February 3, 2024
Traditional Unionist Voice Jim Allister used a speaking contribution linked to the nomination of the speaker to denounce the DUP's return to power-sharing.
He criticised a "DUP climbdown" and claimed that "not one word" of the Northern Ireland Protocol has changed, and that the region remains under EU customs rules, and "ruled in a significant part by foreign laws".
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