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Li Yong was Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) from 2013-2021. Before that he had an extensive career as a senior economic and financial policymaker. As Vice-Minister of Finance of the People’s Republic of China and a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank for a decade, Li was involved in setting and harmonizing fiscal, monetary and industrial policies and in supporting economic growth in China. Throughout his career, he has advocated financial-sector reform and prompted major financial institutions to establish corporate governance, deal with toxic assets and strengthen risk management. LI prioritized fiscal and financial measures to promote agricultural development and small and medium-sized enterprises, both of which represent cornerstones for creating economic opportunities, reducing poverty and promoting gender equality. He played a key role in China’s cooperation with multilateral development organizations, such as the World Bank Group and the Asian Development Bank.

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2013 - 2021 Director General of UNIDO
2003 - 2013 Vice-Minister, Ministry of Finance (MOF), People’s Republic of China
2002 - 2003 Assistant Minister, MOF
1999 - 2002 Secretary General, Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants
1996 - 1998 Executive Director for China, World Bank Group
1992 - 1996 Deputy Director General and then Director General, World Bank Department, MOF
1990 - 1992 Senior Advisor to Executive Director for China, World Bank Group
1989 - 1990 Director, World Bank Department, MOF
1985 - 1989 Second Secretary and then First Secretary, Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations
1984 Deputy Director, Foreign Fiscal Research Office, Research Institute for Fiscal Science, MOF