BEIJING: Zou Jiayi has been elected as the next president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the bank announced in Beijing on Tuesday. Zou's five-year term will begin on January 16, 2026, succeeding founding President Jin Liqun as he concludes his second five-year term.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the election result was revealed by the chair of AIIB's Board of Governors during the 10th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors. Zou is recognized for her extensive experience in global financial policy, with over three decades in the field. Her previous role as Chinese vice minister of finance highlights her significant contributions to China's interactions with prominent international financial institutions.

Zou's career includes involvement with major organizations such as the World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, and the New Development Bank. Her leadership is anticipated to continue the AIIB's mission of financing infrastructure projects, with sustainability as a key focus. Since its operations began in 2016, the AIIB has expanded to include 110 approved members globally.