New head of UN industrial development agency reiterates commitment to developing countries

The new head of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has vowed more effective services to alleviate poverty and assist countries in the improvement of their industrial sectors.

Li Yong, who was today confirmed as the new Director General of UNIDO, said the agency faces many challenges.

“We are going to provide more effective services to support the different needs of different regions and countries,” said Mr. Li, the former Vice-Minister of Finance in China.

“The most disadvantaged areas need to boost their industrial sectors, while middle-income countries need to improve their level of industrial development,” he added.

Mr. Li was voted in by UNIDO’s 53-member Industrial Development Board and confirmed at a special session of the organization’s General Conference today in Vienna. He will serve an initial four-year term.

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