Is the 3rd Director General of UNIDO; the first Argentinean and the youngest person in UN history to win an international election to lead one of its Specialized Agencies (1997-2001).

Through a deep reform he restored the credibility of UNIDO, which increased its budget by 60%. He was re-elected (2001-2005), managing a total budget of US$1.4 billion.

He focused on strengthening the supply of Global Public Goods such as; a) productive capabilities for poverty reduction; b) trade capacity building; c) clean energy and environment; d) public-private partnerships to create employment (with Ericsson, Fiat, etc.) and; e) capabilities for post-conflict economic reconstruction (in Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan and Uganda).

Recognizing his work, the 7^th SG, Kofi Annan, proposed him to the UN Chief Executives Board on Coordination (CEB) as 1^st Chairman of the High Level Committee on Programs (HLCP). His colleagues endorsed him.

Prior to his arrival (1996) UNIDO was in crisis. Some reports recommended it`s closure. Several countries withdrew and others evaluated doing so.

Magariños´ “big-bang” style reform changed such trend recruiting new Member States. External auditors and independent evaluations recognized its results (Multilateral Effectiveness Framework – UK DFID 2005, p 11).