Xiaoqing Yu is the World Bank Country Director for the Western Balkans, a position she assumed in July 2022. Prior to this, Xiaoqing was Director of Strategy and Operations for the Europe and Central Asia region, a position she held since July 2020. Together with the Regional Vice President and the regional leadership team, Xiaoqing oversaw the development of operational strategies and the implementation of operational policies in the region, as well as the delivery of operational and knowledge services by the World Bank to its client countries in the region.
Previously, Xiaoqing was also Director of Strategy and Operations for the East Asia and the Pacific region, and the Director of Strategy and Operations for the World Bank Human Development Global Practice Vice Presidency, overseeing the Bank’s operational and knowledge programs in the areas of education, health and social protection across the regions. She was also the Global Practice Director for Social Protection and Labor, responsible for Bank programs in social assistance, social insurance, and labor market.
Xiaoqing holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Peking University and a Ph.D. in Economics from Cornell University.