
Our Team in China


As Representative, Ms. Sande provides leadership and strategic direction of the Country Programme in delivering results for children.
She brings to the role 30 years of experience and expertise in international development, humanitarian coordination, policy analysis, advocacy, resource mobilization and partnership.
Prior to joining UNICEF, she was the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Eritrea, coordinating 21 agencies in support of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ms. Sande led UNAIDS as Country Director in Beijing, as well as in Uganda, Malawi and Lesotho. Prior to joining the UN she worked in renowned international organisations such as Oxfam and ActionAid International where she served as Deputy Country Representative in post genocide Rwanda; Country Representative in Zambia; Regional Programme Manager for the Middle East, Eastern Europe and the former Caucasus (Geogia, Armenia and Azerbaijan) and in the same function covering the Southern Africa Region. Just prior to joining the United Nations Ms Sande was the Director for Actionaid International's Southern Africa Partnership Programme.
Ms. Sande has served on a number of boards and advisory committees, including the GlobalCampaign for Microbicides; the African Public Health Network; the Southern Africa AIDS Information Service (SAFAIDS); and the China AIDS Fund for Non Government Organisations (CAFNGO).
Ms. Sande received a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya.
She is a national of Kenya and the mother of two daughters. She recently became a grandmother for the first time.
She brings to the role 30 years of experience and expertise in international development, humanitarian coordination, policy analysis, advocacy, resource mobilization and partnership.
Prior to joining UNICEF, she was the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Eritrea, coordinating 21 agencies in support of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ms. Sande led UNAIDS as Country Director in Beijing, as well as in Uganda, Malawi and Lesotho. Prior to joining the UN she worked in renowned international organisations such as Oxfam and ActionAid International where she served as Deputy Country Representative in post genocide Rwanda; Country Representative in Zambia; Regional Programme Manager for the Middle East, Eastern Europe and the former Caucasus (Geogia, Armenia and Azerbaijan) and in the same function covering the Southern Africa Region. Just prior to joining the United Nations Ms Sande was the Director for Actionaid International's Southern Africa Partnership Programme.
Ms. Sande has served on a number of boards and advisory committees, including the GlobalCampaign for Microbicides; the African Public Health Network; the Southern Africa AIDS Information Service (SAFAIDS); and the China AIDS Fund for Non Government Organisations (CAFNGO).
Ms. Sande received a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya.
She is a national of Kenya and the mother of two daughters. She recently became a grandmother for the first time.
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Ms. Beate Trankmann took up her post as UNDP Resident Representative in China in October 2019. This is her second posting to China following a turn at the beginning of her professional journey with UNDP in the late 1990s.
Since then, Ms Trankmann has had a diverse career in the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently she served as United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for Mongolia. She also served as the UNDP Country Director in Indonesia further to appointments with UNDP in Sri Lanka and Cambodia. Prior to joining UNDP, Ms. Trankmann was a research fellow at the European Institute for Asian Studies in Brussels, advising European Union institutions on EU-Asia relations.
Educated in France, China (Taiwan) and Germany, Ms. Trankmann holds a master’s degree in political science and a bachelor’s degree in China studies, both from University of Hamburg.
Since then, Ms Trankmann has had a diverse career in the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently she served as United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for Mongolia. She also served as the UNDP Country Director in Indonesia further to appointments with UNDP in Sri Lanka and Cambodia. Prior to joining UNDP, Ms. Trankmann was a research fellow at the European Institute for Asian Studies in Brussels, advising European Union institutions on EU-Asia relations.
Educated in France, China (Taiwan) and Germany, Ms. Trankmann holds a master’s degree in political science and a bachelor’s degree in China studies, both from University of Hamburg.
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Dr. Zhao Bing is the Representative and Country Director of World Food Programme (WFP) China Office and Centre of Excellence for Rural Transformation in Beijing.
At WFP’s HQs, he held consecutive Director positions for Agricultural Partnerships and Multilateral Engagement (2021-2023), Food Systems and Smallholder Support (2019-2021), and Director/Global Coordinator of the Purchase for Progress (P4P) initiative (2016-2019).
During 2012-2016, as Head of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), a United Nations regional institution under ESCAP, he made great headway in promoting the role of agricultural engineering and mechanization in promoting food security and agricultural sustainability in the Asian-Pacific region.
Previous to that he worked for 5 years as Deputy Director-General of the Centre of International Cooperation and Service of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, and during 1999-2007, he served in the Chinese Permanent Representation to the UN Agencies in Rome as alternate representative. In 1990-1999, he was programme officer in the Department of International Cooperation in the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture.
Dr. Zhao holds a BA degree in international studies from Beijing Foreign Studies University and a Master’s degree in international business law from the University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’. His PhD degree was obtained from the Third University of Rome (Roma Tre) in the area of economics and law.
At WFP’s HQs, he held consecutive Director positions for Agricultural Partnerships and Multilateral Engagement (2021-2023), Food Systems and Smallholder Support (2019-2021), and Director/Global Coordinator of the Purchase for Progress (P4P) initiative (2016-2019).
During 2012-2016, as Head of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM), a United Nations regional institution under ESCAP, he made great headway in promoting the role of agricultural engineering and mechanization in promoting food security and agricultural sustainability in the Asian-Pacific region.
Previous to that he worked for 5 years as Deputy Director-General of the Centre of International Cooperation and Service of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, and during 1999-2007, he served in the Chinese Permanent Representation to the UN Agencies in Rome as alternate representative. In 1990-1999, he was programme officer in the Department of International Cooperation in the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture.
Dr. Zhao holds a BA degree in international studies from Beijing Foreign Studies University and a Master’s degree in international business law from the University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’. His PhD degree was obtained from the Third University of Rome (Roma Tre) in the area of economics and law.
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Carlos Aldeco
FAO
Representative
Mr. Carlos Aldeco took up his assignment as the FAO Representative to the People’s Republic of China on 17 February 2025.
Mr Aldeco is a seasoned diplomat with more than 20 years of professional experience in agricultural development, government relations and international trade. He is a skilled expert in forming strategic partnerships with national governments, research institutions, and the private sector.
Prior to joining FAO, Mr Aldeco worked as the Chief Representative for China of the National Agricultural Council of Mexico since 2019. From 2014 to 2019, he served as the Minister Counsellor at the Mexican Embassy to China in Beijing, coordinating the development and implementation of all marketing, outreach and partnerships activities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food of Mexico with China. From 2009 to 2014, he was the Chief of the Department of Trade Negotiations and Trade Agreements for the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), in Montevideo, Uruguay. From 2006 to 2009, he worked as the International Trade and Investment Analyst at the Mexican Embassy to Japan in Tokyo. His career started in 2003 at the Ministry of Economy of Mexico.
Mr Aldeco, a national of Mexico, holds a Master of Business Administration from the Catholic University of Uruguay, a Master of Law (LLM) from Georgetown University in the United States of America, and a Bachelor’s Degree in international law from the University of the Americas Puebla in Mexico.
Mr Aldeco is a seasoned diplomat with more than 20 years of professional experience in agricultural development, government relations and international trade. He is a skilled expert in forming strategic partnerships with national governments, research institutions, and the private sector.
Prior to joining FAO, Mr Aldeco worked as the Chief Representative for China of the National Agricultural Council of Mexico since 2019. From 2014 to 2019, he served as the Minister Counsellor at the Mexican Embassy to China in Beijing, coordinating the development and implementation of all marketing, outreach and partnerships activities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food of Mexico with China. From 2009 to 2014, he was the Chief of the Department of Trade Negotiations and Trade Agreements for the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), in Montevideo, Uruguay. From 2006 to 2009, he worked as the International Trade and Investment Analyst at the Mexican Embassy to Japan in Tokyo. His career started in 2003 at the Ministry of Economy of Mexico.
Mr Aldeco, a national of Mexico, holds a Master of Business Administration from the Catholic University of Uruguay, a Master of Law (LLM) from Georgetown University in the United States of America, and a Bachelor’s Degree in international law from the University of the Americas Puebla in Mexico.
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Dr. Changhee Lee joined ILO HQ in Geneva in 1996 where he participated in a number of major global research programme on industrial relations until moving to Bangkok, Thailand in 2000 where he worked as an industrial relations specialist of the ILO’s East Asian team.
Covering 10 East Asian member countries – Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, he provided policy advice for government and social partners on a wide range of industrial relations policy issues including tripartite social dialogue, collective bargaining, human resource management, wage policies and labour dispute settlement.
In August 2006, he moved to ILO Beijing Office. He offered policy advices to and worked extensively with the government, trade unions and employers’ organization in China to improve China’s labour law and labour relations institutions.
In 2012, he returned to ILO HQ in Geneva and worked as a senior policy analyst of the Policy Integration Department. He was also a member of the Task Force for reform of ILO’s field operation, appointed by the by the Director-General (May – December 2013), which produce a blue-print for a reform of ILO field operations.
He has published numerous articles on industrial relations in East Asia – including papers on collective bargaining and tripartism in China and Viet Nam, transformation of industrial relations in Korea and historical research on industrial relations evolution in Japan.
Chang-Hee Lee is a citizen of the Republic of Korea. He entered Seoul National University in 1982 where he obtained bachelor degree of sociology (1986), master degree of sociology (1989) and Ph.D of Sociology (1996). His Ph. D dissertation was about the modern history of industrial relation development in Japan’s steel industry (1945 – 1970). He was also a research fellow at the Institute of Social Sciences, Tokyo University, apan (1993 – 95) and visiting professor at the same Institute (2010).
Covering 10 East Asian member countries – Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam, he provided policy advice for government and social partners on a wide range of industrial relations policy issues including tripartite social dialogue, collective bargaining, human resource management, wage policies and labour dispute settlement.
In August 2006, he moved to ILO Beijing Office. He offered policy advices to and worked extensively with the government, trade unions and employers’ organization in China to improve China’s labour law and labour relations institutions.
In 2012, he returned to ILO HQ in Geneva and worked as a senior policy analyst of the Policy Integration Department. He was also a member of the Task Force for reform of ILO’s field operation, appointed by the by the Director-General (May – December 2013), which produce a blue-print for a reform of ILO field operations.
He has published numerous articles on industrial relations in East Asia – including papers on collective bargaining and tripartism in China and Viet Nam, transformation of industrial relations in Korea and historical research on industrial relations evolution in Japan.
Chang-Hee Lee is a citizen of the Republic of Korea. He entered Seoul National University in 1982 where he obtained bachelor degree of sociology (1986), master degree of sociology (1989) and Ph.D of Sociology (1996). His Ph. D dissertation was about the modern history of industrial relation development in Japan’s steel industry (1945 – 1970). He was also a research fellow at the Institute of Social Sciences, Tokyo University, apan (1993 – 95) and visiting professor at the same Institute (2010).
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Dr. Erasmus U. Morah has served the United Nations system across ten countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe for over three decades.
After serving with UNICEF for 12 years in Pakistan, Eritrea, Somaliland, Somalia and the Philippines, Dr Morah joined UNAIDS in 2002. He has served on the frontline of the global AIDS response as UNAIDS Country Director in Malawi, Kenya, South Africa and most recently Nigeria. Dr Morah served at UNAIDS headquarters as Division Director for Strategic Country and Regional Support, as well as for Programme Planning, Budget, and Performance Measurement.
During his early days in UNAIDS at the country level, Dr Morah established the first Joint UN Team on AIDS; influenced the issuance of a new UNAIDS/WHO global policy on HIV testing and counselling in favour of generalized and provider-initiated testing; pioneered the world’s first mass HIV Testing Week that was recognized and recommended by the UNAIDS Programme Coordination Board (PCB); brokered and forged one of Africa’s earliest AIDS SWAPs, or Pooled-Funding, with a resource envelope of $72 million from seven donors; led the country case study that helped to finalize and pave the way for the adoption of the ground-breaking UNAIDS Three-Ones principles of effective partner coordination; and drove, jointly with WHO, the rapid acceleration of AIDS treatment that became a model for resource-poor settings.
Dr Morah also conceptualized the analysis of “Modes of Transmission” adopted globally by UNAIDS, and which shifted the focus of HIV programming from generalized interventions to more targeted approaches, including for key populations. Over the years, he has supported five key frontline HIV countries to mobilize an excess of $1.5 billion from Global Fund and accelerated the achievement of the 90-90-90 UNAIDS targets in these countries. During his tenure at UNAIDS Headquarters in Switzerland, Dr Morah provided leadership, advice, and performance reporting to the UNAIDS PCB on all aspects of the UNAIDS Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework, with 11 Cosponsoring agencies and the Secretariat. He championed and led the reprofiling of UNAIDS “Country Coordinators” as “Country Directors,” situating their accountability within the UN Resident Coordinator system.
Dr Morah earned his Bachelor’s in General Arts and Science from the University of Alberta, Edmonton; Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University, Montreal; and PhD in Economic Development Planning from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. He has published numerous scholarly papers on diverse issues and topics in international journals and books, including more recently: U.K. Development Policy Review (2007, 2009); Turnaround: The Story of South Africa’s HIV Response (2016), South African Civil Society and the AIDS Response (2017); Sizonqoba: Outliving AIDS in Southern Africa (2017); and From the Darkest of Days to a New Dawn: 35 Years of the Nigerian Response to HIV and AIDS (2022).
Dr Morah is a Canadian national of Nigerian origin, married with three children.
After serving with UNICEF for 12 years in Pakistan, Eritrea, Somaliland, Somalia and the Philippines, Dr Morah joined UNAIDS in 2002. He has served on the frontline of the global AIDS response as UNAIDS Country Director in Malawi, Kenya, South Africa and most recently Nigeria. Dr Morah served at UNAIDS headquarters as Division Director for Strategic Country and Regional Support, as well as for Programme Planning, Budget, and Performance Measurement.
During his early days in UNAIDS at the country level, Dr Morah established the first Joint UN Team on AIDS; influenced the issuance of a new UNAIDS/WHO global policy on HIV testing and counselling in favour of generalized and provider-initiated testing; pioneered the world’s first mass HIV Testing Week that was recognized and recommended by the UNAIDS Programme Coordination Board (PCB); brokered and forged one of Africa’s earliest AIDS SWAPs, or Pooled-Funding, with a resource envelope of $72 million from seven donors; led the country case study that helped to finalize and pave the way for the adoption of the ground-breaking UNAIDS Three-Ones principles of effective partner coordination; and drove, jointly with WHO, the rapid acceleration of AIDS treatment that became a model for resource-poor settings.
Dr Morah also conceptualized the analysis of “Modes of Transmission” adopted globally by UNAIDS, and which shifted the focus of HIV programming from generalized interventions to more targeted approaches, including for key populations. Over the years, he has supported five key frontline HIV countries to mobilize an excess of $1.5 billion from Global Fund and accelerated the achievement of the 90-90-90 UNAIDS targets in these countries. During his tenure at UNAIDS Headquarters in Switzerland, Dr Morah provided leadership, advice, and performance reporting to the UNAIDS PCB on all aspects of the UNAIDS Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework, with 11 Cosponsoring agencies and the Secretariat. He championed and led the reprofiling of UNAIDS “Country Coordinators” as “Country Directors,” situating their accountability within the UN Resident Coordinator system.
Dr Morah earned his Bachelor’s in General Arts and Science from the University of Alberta, Edmonton; Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University, Montreal; and PhD in Economic Development Planning from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. He has published numerous scholarly papers on diverse issues and topics in international journals and books, including more recently: U.K. Development Policy Review (2007, 2009); Turnaround: The Story of South Africa’s HIV Response (2016), South African Civil Society and the AIDS Response (2017); Sizonqoba: Outliving AIDS in Southern Africa (2017); and From the Darkest of Days to a New Dawn: 35 Years of the Nigerian Response to HIV and AIDS (2022).
Dr Morah is a Canadian national of Nigerian origin, married with three children.
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Ms. Liu Hua was appointed to the position of the Director of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Office in China in June 2020.
Prior to this, she had served as the Special Representative for Human Rights, the Deputy Director General of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (MFA), the Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Association of China, the Senior Counselor of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland and the Division Director of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the MFA.
Ms. LIU Hua received a B.A. degree in English Literature from Peking University and a Master’s Degree in Public International Law from Lund University of Sweden. Additionally, Ms. LIU Hua also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Prior to this, she had served as the Special Representative for Human Rights, the Deputy Director General of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (MFA), the Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Association of China, the Senior Counselor of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland and the Division Director of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the MFA.
Ms. LIU Hua received a B.A. degree in English Literature from Peking University and a Master’s Degree in Public International Law from Lund University of Sweden. Additionally, Ms. LIU Hua also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
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Dr. Jingbo Huang is the Director of the United Nations University Institute in Macau (UNU Macau). Under her leadership, UNU Macau has developed a strong portfolio in education, training and policy relevant research in digital technologies and SDGs, particularly in AI governance since 2018. Recently she led the institute to successfully organize the UNU Macau AI conference with 500+ participants from 40+ countries, as a contribution to the Summit of the Future. She has been working in the UN system for 20+ years, holding various managerial positions in the UN Secretariat, UNDP, UNESCO, UNSSC and UNU. Jingbo received her Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University, and a bachelor's degree from Peking University.
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Marco Toscano-Rivalta
UNDRR
Chief, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Marco Toscano-Rivalta is an Italian national with over 25 years of experience in international cooperation, focusing on sustainable development, disaster risk management, humanitarian relief, and human rights protection. He currently serves as the Chief of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), a position he has held since May 2012.
Dr. Toscano-Rivalta holds a law degree and a PhD in International Human Rights Law. He has lectured at several Italian universities, including Bologna, Siena, Roma, and Trento, as well as at Johns Hopkins University.
Throughout his career, he has held various positions within the UN and other international organizations. His roles have included Rule of Law Advisor for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Head of Field Office for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Turkey, and Human Rights Officer for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In his current role at UNDRR, Dr. Toscano-Rivalta leads efforts to support countries in the Asia-Pacific region in reducing disaster risks and building resilience. His work involves coordinating disaster risk reduction policies, monitoring progress, and engaging with various stakeholders to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
Dr. Toscano-Rivalta holds a law degree and a PhD in International Human Rights Law. He has lectured at several Italian universities, including Bologna, Siena, Roma, and Trento, as well as at Johns Hopkins University.
Throughout his career, he has held various positions within the UN and other international organizations. His roles have included Rule of Law Advisor for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Head of Field Office for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Turkey, and Human Rights Officer for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In his current role at UNDRR, Dr. Toscano-Rivalta leads efforts to support countries in the Asia-Pacific region in reducing disaster risks and building resilience. His work involves coordinating disaster risk reduction policies, monitoring progress, and engaging with various stakeholders to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
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Martin Taylor
WHO
Representative to China
Mr. Martin Taylor is WHO Representative to China. He took up his position as WHO Representative in China in July 2023.
Previously, Martin was Director of the Division of Health Systems and Services in the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila. In this role he led the Division’s work on health financing, workforce, primary health care, service delivery, rehabilitation, essential medicines and technologies, health legislation, traditional medicine, maternal and child health and quality of health care including infection prevention control.
Martin Taylor has worked as an adviser and leader on global health and development assistance for health for over 20 years – with a strong focus on supporting countries to strengthen health systems. Prior to working in the WHO Regional Office Martin worked as an advisor to the Australian High Commission on health cooperation in Papua New Guinea, and from 2013 to 2017 Martin was the Head of the Health Systems and Health Security team in WHO Office in Beijing, China.
Previously he worked as health adviser for the UK Department for International Development in various HQ, regional and country roles (including in Beijing from 2003-2007 as lead on UK cooperation with China on public health). He was part of the team that established the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2002.
He studied at the University of Cambridge and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Previously, Martin was Director of the Division of Health Systems and Services in the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila. In this role he led the Division’s work on health financing, workforce, primary health care, service delivery, rehabilitation, essential medicines and technologies, health legislation, traditional medicine, maternal and child health and quality of health care including infection prevention control.
Martin Taylor has worked as an adviser and leader on global health and development assistance for health for over 20 years – with a strong focus on supporting countries to strengthen health systems. Prior to working in the WHO Regional Office Martin worked as an advisor to the Australian High Commission on health cooperation in Papua New Guinea, and from 2013 to 2017 Martin was the Head of the Health Systems and Health Security team in WHO Office in Beijing, China.
Previously he worked as health adviser for the UK Department for International Development in various HQ, regional and country roles (including in Beijing from 2003-2007 as lead on UK cooperation with China on public health). He was part of the team that established the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2002.
He studied at the University of Cambridge and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
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Ms. Meng Liu is the Head of China Office with the United Nations Global Compact. Prior to this role, Meng serves as Head of Asia Pacific Networks of UN Global Compact overseeing over 15 country networks and operations across the region.
Before joining the United Nations in 2007, Ms. Liu has worked for the non-profit and public sector across the US and in Asia. She was a fellow on Asian public policy with Harvard Kennedy School and book author of “Responsibility Changes the World-UN Global Compact Leading Business Revolution Worldwide”. Ms. Liu sits on Global Future Council on Frontier Risks as a member since 2020. She has been honored as a Young Global Leader (YGL) by the World Economic Forum in 2015 and nominated as the YGL Local Chair for China in 2021.
Before joining the United Nations in 2007, Ms. Liu has worked for the non-profit and public sector across the US and in Asia. She was a fellow on Asian public policy with Harvard Kennedy School and book author of “Responsibility Changes the World-UN Global Compact Leading Business Revolution Worldwide”. Ms. Liu sits on Global Future Council on Frontier Risks as a member since 2020. She has been honored as a Young Global Leader (YGL) by the World Economic Forum in 2015 and nominated as the YGL Local Chair for China in 2021.
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Nadia Rasheed
UNFPA
Country Representative
Ms. Nadia Rasheed was appointed as the UNFPA Representative to China and Country Director for Mongolia in December 2024. Prior to this appointment, she served as the UNFPA Representative to Sierra Leone from May 2022. Before joining UNFPA, she was the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in India from 2018 to 2022, and the UNDP Regional Team Leader for Health and Development in Asia and the Pacific from 2014 to 2018. She also served as the UNDP Deputy Country Director ad-interim for Sri Lanka in 2018.
Ms. Rasheed has a wealth of management and policy experience covering health, gender and development issues. From 2009 to 2014, she was the global Practice Manager for the HIV, Health and Development Practice at UNDP Headquarters in New York. She was also a Policy Specialist on HIV in the Bureau for Development Policy at UNDP Headquarters from 2005 to 2009. She previously worked with the UNDP Human Development Report Office, and with UNDP and other organizations on capacity development and gender equality issues.
She holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from the London School of Economics, and a master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University.
Ms. Rasheed has a wealth of management and policy experience covering health, gender and development issues. From 2009 to 2014, she was the global Practice Manager for the HIV, Health and Development Practice at UNDP Headquarters in New York. She was also a Policy Specialist on HIV in the Bureau for Development Policy at UNDP Headquarters from 2005 to 2009. She previously worked with the UNDP Human Development Report Office, and with UNDP and other organizations on capacity development and gender equality issues.
She holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from the London School of Economics, and a master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University.
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Nan Zhang
UNV
Programme and Partnerships Specialist
Ms. Nan Zhang has worked as the UNV Country Coordinator in China since 2018 and became UNV Programme and Partnerships Specialist in 2021. Fully committed to volunteerism as a powerful means of implementing the Agenda 2030, she leads and advocates strongly for the UN Volunteers programme and partnerships in China.
Ms. Zhang brings more than 20 years of experience in international cooperation, partnership development and resource mobilization, policy design and consultation, and development assistance programme for sustainable development.
Before UNV, Ms. Zhang worked as a Senior Programme Manager in China’s National Health Commission and as a Programme Advisor in the UNAIDS Liaison Office to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Ms. Zhang is a Chevening scholar and holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Comparative Social Policy from the University of Oxford, UK.
Ms. Zhang brings more than 20 years of experience in international cooperation, partnership development and resource mobilization, policy design and consultation, and development assistance programme for sustainable development.
Before UNV, Ms. Zhang worked as a Senior Programme Manager in China’s National Health Commission and as a Programme Advisor in the UNAIDS Liaison Office to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Ms. Zhang is a Chevening scholar and holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Comparative Social Policy from the University of Oxford, UK.
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Nii Quaye-Kumah holds the position as the IFAD Country Director and Representative of IFAD Multi Country Office, People’s Republic of China. Based in Beijing, Quaye-Kumah leads a team managing an evolving partnership with China and development partners in three countries including China, ROK and DPRK. He is responsible for the investment and advisory programs in China. In addition, he supports knowledge partnership in the sub-region.
Before being appointed as IFAD Representative in China, Quaye-Kumah joined the Office of the President and Vice-President in the function of Special Adviser to the President since 2018. He also worked in the function of Ghana’s Alternate Permanent Representative with the Embassy of Ghana in Rome during 2011-2018. Prior to that, he had served in various senior positions in the area of agricultural development and agricultural extension services, such as Director of Agriculture of the Dangme West District of Ghana and Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the National Agricultural Extension Project (NAEP), within the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ghana.
Quaye-Kumah holds a Master of Science in Management and Agricultural Knowledge Systems from the Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Animal Science) from the University of Ghana.
Before being appointed as IFAD Representative in China, Quaye-Kumah joined the Office of the President and Vice-President in the function of Special Adviser to the President since 2018. He also worked in the function of Ghana’s Alternate Permanent Representative with the Embassy of Ghana in Rome during 2011-2018. Prior to that, he had served in various senior positions in the area of agricultural development and agricultural extension services, such as Director of Agriculture of the Dangme West District of Ghana and Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the National Agricultural Extension Project (NAEP), within the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ghana.
Quaye-Kumah holds a Master of Science in Management and Agricultural Knowledge Systems from the Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Animal Science) from the University of Ghana.
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Raphael Guillet serves as the Chief of the Asia & Pacific Regional Sub-Office of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a position he has held since August 2016.
In this role, he oversees ICAO's initiatives aimed at enhancing air traffic management (ATM) across the Asia-Pacific region. His responsibilities include organizing ATM implementation projects to support member states in managing increasing air traffic volumes. These projects focus on improving air traffic service (ATS) route networks, implementing new performance-based navigation (PBN) flight procedures, coordinating air traffic flow management (ATFM) systems among states, and enhancing civil-military coordination in airspace management.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Guillet worked with the French Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC). He served as the Deputy Chief of the Airspace and Air Navigation Rulemaking Office, where he was involved in developing regulations and standards for air navigation services. Additionally, he held the position of Aeronautics and Civil Aviation Counselor at the French Embassy in China from 2010 to 2014, fostering bilateral aviation relations and cooperation between France and China.
Mr. Guillet's extensive experience in civil aviation spans various roles, including his tenure as the Chief of the ICAO Asia Pacific Regional Sub-Office. He has actively participated in regional aviation events, such as the Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS) in Beijing, where he highlighted ICAO's commitment to aviation safety and discussed strategic plans for the future.
In this role, he oversees ICAO's initiatives aimed at enhancing air traffic management (ATM) across the Asia-Pacific region. His responsibilities include organizing ATM implementation projects to support member states in managing increasing air traffic volumes. These projects focus on improving air traffic service (ATS) route networks, implementing new performance-based navigation (PBN) flight procedures, coordinating air traffic flow management (ATFM) systems among states, and enhancing civil-military coordination in airspace management.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Guillet worked with the French Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC). He served as the Deputy Chief of the Airspace and Air Navigation Rulemaking Office, where he was involved in developing regulations and standards for air navigation services. Additionally, he held the position of Aeronautics and Civil Aviation Counselor at the French Embassy in China from 2010 to 2014, fostering bilateral aviation relations and cooperation between France and China.
Mr. Guillet's extensive experience in civil aviation spans various roles, including his tenure as the Chief of the ICAO Asia Pacific Regional Sub-Office. He has actively participated in regional aviation events, such as the Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety (AP-SAS) in Beijing, where he highlighted ICAO's commitment to aviation safety and discussed strategic plans for the future.
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Samina Kadwani
UNOPS
Director of Multi-Country Office
Ms. Samina Kadwani serves as the Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Multi-Country Office, overseeing operations in Thailand, Indonesia, and Pacific countries. With over 25 years of experience in the development sector, she has dedicated more than two decades to UNOPS, implementing and managing complex programs across various global locations, including New York, Copenhagen, Geneva, and Bangkok.
In her current role, Ms. Kadwani is responsible for UNOPS activities across 24 countries in the East Asia and Pacific region. She has a deep understanding of the region's challenges and opportunities, having overseen projects in sectors such as health, climate change, energy, sustainable economic diversification, and emergency recovery.
A certified project management specialist, Ms. Kadwani holds a degree in Sociology. She has also actively contributed to initiatives aimed at enhancing food security and agricultural productivity in Pacific Island communities, such as the provision of solar-powered chest freezers and agricultural equipment to support local livelihoods.
In her current role, Ms. Kadwani is responsible for UNOPS activities across 24 countries in the East Asia and Pacific region. She has a deep understanding of the region's challenges and opportunities, having overseen projects in sectors such as health, climate change, energy, sustainable economic diversification, and emergency recovery.
A certified project management specialist, Ms. Kadwani holds a degree in Sociology. She has also actively contributed to initiatives aimed at enhancing food security and agricultural productivity in Pacific Island communities, such as the provision of solar-powered chest freezers and agricultural equipment to support local livelihoods.
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Professor Shahbaz Khan was appointed as the Director of the UNESCO Office in Beijing and UNESCO Representative to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of Korea on 9 March 2021.
Prof Khan joined UNESCO in 2008 at its Headquarters as Chief of the Water and Sustainable Development Section. Then he served as the Director of the Regional Bureau for Sciences in Asia and the Pacific in Jakarta, Indonesia, and UNESCO Representative to Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste (2015-2021).
He has worked in Australia, France, Indonesia and Pakistan in various research, consultancy and policy positions around hydrology and sustainable development. His work has been widely recognized e.g. 2019 China Friendship Award, Great Wall Friendship Award China 2017 and Land and Water Australia’s Eureka Prize 2007.
Prof Khan holds a Hon Doctorate Environment and Development from the National University of Malaysia and Hon DSc from the University of Birmingham.
Prof Khan joined UNESCO in 2008 at its Headquarters as Chief of the Water and Sustainable Development Section. Then he served as the Director of the Regional Bureau for Sciences in Asia and the Pacific in Jakarta, Indonesia, and UNESCO Representative to Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste (2015-2021).
He has worked in Australia, France, Indonesia and Pakistan in various research, consultancy and policy positions around hydrology and sustainable development. His work has been widely recognized e.g. 2019 China Friendship Award, Great Wall Friendship Award China 2017 and Land and Water Australia’s Eureka Prize 2007.
Prof Khan holds a Hon Doctorate Environment and Development from the National University of Malaysia and Hon DSc from the University of Birmingham.
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Sherif Messiha
UNDSS
Regional Security Advisor, PR China, Japan, DPR Korea, RO Korea and Mongolia
Sherif Messiha has been serving as the Regional Security Advisor for UNDSS in China, Japan, DPR Korea, RO Korea, and Mongolia since May 2021.
With extensive experience in security risk management, crisis management, and investigations, he excels in handling counterterrorism, private investigations, firearms handling, physical security, blast migration, and emergency management.
Previously, Messiha held several crucial roles, inducing UN Security Advisor in Algena, and coordinating security operations and emergency responses in various high-risk areas such as Lebanon and Yemen. His professional background is complemented by a master's in law and police management from Cairo University, where he specialized in the intricacies of law enforcement and security protocols.
With extensive experience in security risk management, crisis management, and investigations, he excels in handling counterterrorism, private investigations, firearms handling, physical security, blast migration, and emergency management.
Previously, Messiha held several crucial roles, inducing UN Security Advisor in Algena, and coordinating security operations and emergency responses in various high-risk areas such as Lebanon and Yemen. His professional background is complemented by a master's in law and police management from Cairo University, where he specialized in the intricacies of law enforcement and security protocols.
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Ms. Smriti Aryal is UN Women’s Country Representative in China. She joined UN Women China in July 2019.
Ms. Aryal is a national of Nepal and brings over 23 years of professional experience in international development and humanitarian assistance, which she has acquired at the United Nations and externally.
Prior to arriving in China, Smriti served as the Head of the Office in Myanmar (2018-2019), after holding key leadership roles including as UN Women’s Regional Advisor and UNAIDS Regional Advisor between 2008-2017 based out of Bangkok and with UNICEF from 2000-2006. She has worked with a wide range of stakeholders including regional and national governments, CSOs, and the UN over 12 countries, and brings a strong background in public policy development, strategic planning, and strategic partnership related to a host of international development issues. She has authored and published numerous documents as well as served as peer reviewer in several international conferences and journals.
Ms. Aryal holds a master’s degree Master’s in Public Health from University College London, UK, and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Gender Studies from Oregon State University, USA. She is married with a husband and two children, currently living in Beijing.
Ms. Aryal is a national of Nepal and brings over 23 years of professional experience in international development and humanitarian assistance, which she has acquired at the United Nations and externally.
Prior to arriving in China, Smriti served as the Head of the Office in Myanmar (2018-2019), after holding key leadership roles including as UN Women’s Regional Advisor and UNAIDS Regional Advisor between 2008-2017 based out of Bangkok and with UNICEF from 2000-2006. She has worked with a wide range of stakeholders including regional and national governments, CSOs, and the UN over 12 countries, and brings a strong background in public policy development, strategic planning, and strategic partnership related to a host of international development issues. She has authored and published numerous documents as well as served as peer reviewer in several international conferences and journals.
Ms. Aryal holds a master’s degree Master’s in Public Health from University College London, UK, and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Gender Studies from Oregon State University, USA. She is married with a husband and two children, currently living in Beijing.
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Sophie Muller is the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Representative in China. She assumed this position in early March 2025, following her tenure as the UNHCR Representative in Spain from 2019 to 2024.
Throughout her career, Muller has accumulated extensive experience in refugee protection and asylum systems. She has been involved in UNHCR operations in countries such as Benin, East Timor, and Burundi. In Spain, she addressed challenges related to unaccompanied migrant and refugee children arriving in the Canary Islands, advocating for strengthened protection measures and responsibility-sharing among nations.
In her current role in China, Muller continues to collaborate with various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and civil society, to uphold UNHCR's mandate of protecting and finding solutions for forcibly displaced individuals. She has expressed her commitment to advancing these efforts during her initial weeks in the country.
Throughout her career, Muller has accumulated extensive experience in refugee protection and asylum systems. She has been involved in UNHCR operations in countries such as Benin, East Timor, and Burundi. In Spain, she addressed challenges related to unaccompanied migrant and refugee children arriving in the Canary Islands, advocating for strengthened protection measures and responsibility-sharing among nations.
In her current role in China, Muller continues to collaborate with various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and civil society, to uphold UNHCR's mandate of protecting and finding solutions for forcibly displaced individuals. She has expressed her commitment to advancing these efforts during her initial weeks in the country.
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Stephen Bainous Kargbo
UNIDO
Representative and Head of the Regional Office in the People's Republic of China, covering Mongolia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Dr. Stephen Bainous Kargbo is the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Representative and Head of the Regional Office in the People's Republic of China, covering Mongolia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
With over 30 years of experience in teaching, research, organizational management, and development cooperation, Dr. Kargbo has held various positions within the UN system, including UNIDO Representative to Tanzania, Mauritius, and the East African Community (EAC).
He earned a PhD in Agricultural Economics and an MSc in Rural Development from the Georg-August University of Göttingen in Germany, following a BSc in Agricultural Education from the University of Sierra Leone.
Dr. Kargbo has also contributed to UNIDO's initiatives in Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, and has collaborated with the African Union Commission.
In China, he emphasizes enhancing industrial competitiveness, promoting innovation-led growth, and addressing challenges in energy, transportation, the circular economy, decarbonization, and emerging technologies like new energy vehicles.
With over 30 years of experience in teaching, research, organizational management, and development cooperation, Dr. Kargbo has held various positions within the UN system, including UNIDO Representative to Tanzania, Mauritius, and the East African Community (EAC).
He earned a PhD in Agricultural Economics and an MSc in Rural Development from the Georg-August University of Göttingen in Germany, following a BSc in Agricultural Education from the University of Sierra Leone.
Dr. Kargbo has also contributed to UNIDO's initiatives in Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, and has collaborated with the African Union Commission.
In China, he emphasizes enhancing industrial competitiveness, promoting innovation-led growth, and addressing challenges in energy, transportation, the circular economy, decarbonization, and emerging technologies like new energy vehicles.
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Wang Qian
UNEP
Programme Manager
Ms. Qian Wang serves as the Programme Manager for China at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), where she coordinates UNEP's work programme in the country and provides policy analysis and support through the UNEP China Office. With over 25 years of experience in environmental policy and the implementation of sustainable development programmes, Ms. Wang possesses deep knowledge of multilateral processes concerning biodiversity, climate change, circularity, and chemical and waste management. She has contributed to international environmental governance by serving on the Compliance Committees of both the Basel and Minamata Conventions and participating as a member of the advisory group for the International Environmental Governance Project.
Before joining UNEP, Ms. Wang worked with China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, focusing on global environmental issues and international cooperation. Her extensive career reflects a strong commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and international collaboration in environmental governance.
Ms. Wang holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University and a Master of Arts in International Relations from Yale University. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
Before joining UNEP, Ms. Wang worked with China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, focusing on global environmental issues and international cooperation. Her extensive career reflects a strong commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and international collaboration in environmental governance.
Ms. Wang holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University and a Master of Arts in International Relations from Yale University. She completed her Bachelor of Arts at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
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Wen Li
IOM
Chief of Mission

Dr. Li Yutong is currently the Head of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (CSAM) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). CSAM is a regional agency of the United Nations ESCAP. Dr. Li Yutong has 25 years of working experience in the fields of agricultural economy, trade and investment, and food security, and has worked in government, United Nations agencies and other departments. Dr. Li received her PhD in Management from the Department of Agricultural Economics, China Agricultural University, and her research interests include agricultural development, agricultural policy making, policy research and analysis, and international cooperation.
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Zhang Zhenshan serves as the Programme Manager for China at UN-Habitat, the United Nations agency dedicated to promoting sustainable urban development. Mr. Zhang pursued higher education in industrial and civil engineering at Harbin Architecture and Engineering College, graduating in 1983.
Mr. Zhang's career with UN-Habitat began in 2002, with significant roles in Iraq and Kenya. Since 2009, he has been the Programme Manager for China, where he advises policymakers and collaborates with various stakeholders on urban issues. Under Mr. Zhang's leadership, UN-Habitat China has focused on projects related to public spaces, smart cities, and waste management, aligning with the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11.
In 2022, Mr. Zhang co-supervised the "Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2022: Building New Urban Resilience" report, which provides recommendations for cities worldwide to enhance urban resilience.
Before joining UN-Habitat, Mr. Zhang worked with the Ministry of Construction of China, where he engaged in international cooperation and collaborated closely with UN-Habitat's Beijing office.
Mr. Zhang's career with UN-Habitat began in 2002, with significant roles in Iraq and Kenya. Since 2009, he has been the Programme Manager for China, where he advises policymakers and collaborates with various stakeholders on urban issues. Under Mr. Zhang's leadership, UN-Habitat China has focused on projects related to public spaces, smart cities, and waste management, aligning with the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11.
In 2022, Mr. Zhang co-supervised the "Future Cities Advisory Outlook 2022: Building New Urban Resilience" report, which provides recommendations for cities worldwide to enhance urban resilience.
Before joining UN-Habitat, Mr. Zhang worked with the Ministry of Construction of China, where he engaged in international cooperation and collaborated closely with UN-Habitat's Beijing office.
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