News Desk
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Hao Zhang of China as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Maldives, effective May 2, 2025, following approval by the host government. Mr. Zhang will assume office tomorrow, taking on a critical role in overseeing U.N. development and humanitarian efforts in the island nation.
Mr. Zhang, a seasoned development expert, brings 27 years of professional experience to the position. For over 17 years, he served in various roles at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which he joined in 2008 as a procurement specialist. His tenure at ADB included positions such as Senior Advisor to the Vice President for South, Central, and West Asia, Principal Urban Development Specialist, Deputy Country Director in China, and Advisor in the East Asian Development Department. Most recently, he advised the Director General of ADB’s Portfolio Procurement and Financial Management Department.
Before his time at ADB, Mr. Zhang worked from 2002 to 2008 as a municipal engineer and project officer at the World Bank’s Resident Mission in Beijing, contributing to urban and environmental projects in China.
Mr. Zhang holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Tongji University in China.
As Resident Coordinator, Mr. Zhang will lead the U.N. Country Team in the Maldives, coordinating efforts to address challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, and economic resilience in the low-lying nation, which is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels.
The appointment underscores the U.N.’s commitment to supporting the Maldives in achieving its development goals, with Mr. Zhang’s extensive experience in urban development and international finance expected to guide the organization’s work in the region.
