On December 10, 2025, Mr. Alberto Ninio, General Counsel of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), visited Peking University Law School (PKULS). He was welcomed by Prof. Dai Xin, Vice Dean and tenured A.P. of PKULS, and Prof. Chen Yifeng, Executive Director of the Institute of International Law and tenured A.P. The two sides held in-depth discussions on strengthening cooperation.

Prof. Dai Xin extended a warm welcome to Mr. Ninio and highlighted the school’s recent achievements in internationalization. He emphasized PKULS’s commitment to expanding collaboration channels and exchange mechanisms with overseas institutions, thereby creating more opportunities for internships, academic visits, and research.

Mr. Ninio expressed gratitude for the hospitality and praised the rigorous academic environment and global perspectives demonstrated by faculty and students. He looked forward to broadening cooperation areas and enhancing collaborative content to jointly cultivate high-level international legal talent.

During the visit, Mr. Ninio delivered a lecture titled “The Role of Multilateral Development Banks in Sustainable Development,” outlining the evolution and contemporary mission of multilateral institutions in global sustainable development.

He noted that institutions like the World Bank have transformed from post-WWII financial tools focused on economic reconstruction into comprehensive platforms integrating economic growth, environmental protection, and social inclusion. A key milestone was the establishment of the Independent Accountability Mechanism in the 1990s, which enabled affected communities to file complaints directly, reshaping accountability dynamics. Mr. Ninio further highlighted that environmental and social safeguards are now integral throughout project lifecycles, forming binding international standards. Emerging institutions like AIIB adhere to these norms while exploring more efficient and flexible governance models, collectively advancing the implementation of sustainable development goals through investment and rule-making.

Translated by: Guo Zhongqi

Edited by: Zhang Wenyi