Head of UN organization commends CIFIT

Li Yong, Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), spoke highly of the proceedings of the 2015 China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT), which he attended.

The 2015 CIFIT concluded in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Sept 11.

The collaboration with the organizers of the CIFIT is a fine example of UNIDO's efforts to promote worldwide inclusive and sustainable growth and should be extended to other parts of the world, according to Li. In a signed letter to the organizing committee of the 2015 CIFIT, he expressed his appreciation.

In the letter, Li Yong announced that the organization's 2016 CIFIT program will focus on green industry development and food safety improvement to mark its 50th anniversary.

UNIDO has been working closely with China to promote its green industry development and address food safety issues.

Forged in 2004, the partnership between CIFIT and UNIDO has entered its 11th year. The two parties hold the same principles of facilitating international and multilateral economic cooperation and have made achievements in various areas.

A UNIDO pavilion was set up at the fair to showcase South-South cooperation with the help of the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges - an affiliate to China's Ministry of Commerce.

The organization hosted a string of UNIDO Day events during the 2015 CIFIT, covering topics such as investment opportunities among BRICS countries, green industries and investment and entrepreneurship in countries along the continental and maritime silk roads.

With the release of a report on Africa's industrial upgrade and diversity, the organization aimed to boost collaboration among Maritime Silk Road countries, BRICS nations and Muslim countries.

Founded in 1966, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization converted into a specialized agency of the UN in 1985. It now has 172 members and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. The agency is committed to facilitating and accelerating industrial growth in developing countries and coordinating United Nations industrial development missions through boosting technological advancement and catalyzing cooperation between developed and developing nations.

Li Yong was elected as the Director General of UNIDO by the organization's Industrial Development Board on June 24, 2013. His appointment was later confirmed at a special session of the organization's General Conference on June 28, 2013. He is now serving the third year of a four-year tenure.

He previously served as China's vice-minister of finance from 2003.