Mukhisa Kituyi, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, was presented with an honorary professorship by the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing on Tuesday.

Kituyi was given the honorary title by Zhao Zhongxiu, vice-president of the university, during a ceremony attended by more than 500 teachers and students.

During the event, Kituyi gave a speech about investing in sustainable development and expressed his optimisms and concerns over global investment. He also said China is playing an important and positive role in building a new international system of trade and sustainable development.

Founded in 1964, the UN department deals with development issues, especially concerning international trade. It now has 194 member states.

In June 2004, it established the UNCTAD Virtual Institute on Trade and Development, a special program in cooperation with academic institutions, such as universities and research centers, to educate future policymakers and business leaders, as well as offer information on policymaking and negotiation.

The institute now has 94 universities and institutions from 48 countries as members, with UIBE as the first Chinese university to join.