Chinese heads UN industrial agency

A senior Chinese policymaker has been  named the new Director General of the UN Industrial Development Organization, (UNIDO).

Mr Li Yong, an economist, was last week confirmed for the top job in an election he ran against five other candidates.

He takes over from Kandeh K. Yumkella of Sierra Leone, who has led UNIDO since 2005, and who is now the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and CEO of the Initiative.

According to UNIDO, Mr Yong secured two–thirds of the votes cast by the organisation’s 53-member Industrial Development Board.

“His appointment was confirmed at a special session of the organization’s General Conference in Vienna,” said UNIDO.

Mr Yong will serve an initial four-year term.

Li Yong has been China’s Vice-Minister of Finance since 2003.

By Ekow Quandzie