Global development must benefit investors too, including China: UNDP head

Interview'Aid is the past,' says Alexander De Croo, as US and other governments look inwardAlexander De Croo, former prime minister of Belgium, now serving as administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), argues that development aid should be viewed as an investment that creates markets. (Photo by Shintaro Ino)SHIGESABURO OKUMURAAugust 1, 2026 08:30 JSTTOKYO -- The head of the United Nations' top agency for international development says emerging economies need capital, not charity, while the countries providing the funds are entitled to pursue their own national interests -- including China with its Belt and Road Initiative.