At the helm of the organization, he implemented a reform program to improve efficiency and transparency and to update its technical cooperation program, modernizing the concept of industrial development and linking it with the fight against poverty and environmental degradation.

With these changes, the organization's technical cooperation portfolio for developing countries increased by 50 percent between 2000 and 2005. Voluntary contributions from donor countries rose 147 percent between 1998 and 2005.

Magarinos has also been active in the academic field. After graduating in business administration from the University of Buenos Aires, he continued his studies at the International Development Law Institute in Rome and at the Wharton School of University in Pennsylvania in the United States.

He taught at several universities in Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Salvador and Belgrano, and he was elected, in 2006, senior associate member of St Antony's College at Oxford University.

His interest in understanding the challenges confronting developing and emerging societies in a globalized economy led him to design and manage various research works.

He has had seven books published, in Spanish, English and French.

Magarinos says that he is very interested in China, a "big and fast-developing nation". He edited China in the WTO, the Birth of a New Catching Up Strategy with Long Yongtu, chief negotiator of China's accession to the WTO and Francisco Sercovich, famous academician, which was published in 2002 in English.

He stresses the implications for multilateralism of China's dual role in the G20 as a leading economy and, at the same time, a developing society.

The decision by the Chinese leadership to play the role of a responsible global actor contributing to multilateral solutions shows that it has not lost sight of China's many social challenges, he says.

"This is an essential asset to build a stronger multilateral system without the privileges (such as veto powers or special majorities) reserved for the winners of any new international power structure."

Normally, once countries gain leadership positions at a global level, they show little interest in multilateralism, he says, and it is not unusual to see major powers resist international treaties or agreements, arguing that they need to preserve their freedom to act.

"China's dual role may be an opportunity to see something new in multilateral affairs."

A constructive relationship between China and the US is essential for the G20 to build an effective global governance system, Magarinos says.

"Their partners at the G20 should be interested in that and avoid the temptation of attempting to use China alone to counterbalance US influence or political might or vice versa.

"On the contrary, they should try to find a way to build trust, confidence and a positive interaction for the long term, properly using the exceptional position of China as both a leading nation and an emerging economy."

Magarinos lives in Buenos Aires with his wife, two sons and a daughter.

He would like to spend more time with his family and enjoy jazz, he says, "but I am always touring, giving speeches or attending forums on emerging economies".

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