The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) enters a new era today as Zou Jiayi officially begins her tenure as President and Chair of the Board of Directors. Her first day coincides with the landmark 10th anniversary of the Bank’s operations, signaling a strategic transition focused on continuity, innovation, and global development.
Elected by the Board of Governors in June 2025, President Zou succeeds founding President Jin Liqun, whose second five-year term concluded on January 15. Zou takes the helm of a multilateral institution that has grown from a regional startup into a 109-member global powerhouse.
In her inaugural address to AIIB staff and leadership this morning, President Zou emphasized a mission-driven approach to infrastructure, focusing on the tangible impact of multilateralism. “My belief is simple: a better world can be built,” said President Zou. “Not merely imagined, but built—through practical cooperation, purposeful investment, and development that improves people’s lives. That conviction will guide my presidency.”
President Zou outlined her commitment to evolving the Bank’s portfolio to meet the 21st-century challenges of climate change and digital connectivity. She pledged to work closely with members, clients, and international partners to deliver infrastructure that “strengthens economies, protects the climate and nature, and expands opportunity across Asia and beyond.”
The transition occurs at a historic moment. Over the past decade, AIIB has achieved:
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Triple-A Credit Ratings: Consistent top-tier ratings from major global agencies.
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Global Reach: Expansion to over 100 members representing 81% of the world’s population.
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Massive Investment: Tens of billions of dollars mobilized for projects in green infrastructure, regional connectivity, and technology-enabled finance.
President Zou’s leadership is expected to build upon this foundation, prioritizing the “Green, Resilient, and Inclusive” framework established during the Bank’s first decade. Her appointment is viewed by market analysts as a signal of stability and a continued commitment to high international standards of governance.
President Zou brings decades of experience in international finance and development to AIIB. Before her election, she held high-level positions within the Ministry of Finance and has extensive experience working with multilateral development banks (MDBs). Her deep expertise in global economic governance positions her to lead AIIB through an increasingly complex geopolitical and environmental landscape.
