The 18th session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General Conference concluded, providing the Organization clear indications under the new Abu Dhabi Declaration, to accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) for the realization of the 2030 Agenda by strengthening partnerships with the private sector and harnessing the potential of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.
“In planning this 18th session of the UNIDO General Conference under the theme of “Industry 2030 – Innovate. Connect. Transform our Future”, we followed our vision towards the world we want by the year 2030,” said Director General LI Yong in his closing remarks. “This vision is based on stronger international cooperation, with industries that are inclusive and sustainable, driving a low-carbon, climate-smart economy that provides decent jobs, inclusive growth, shared prosperity and that empowers all people in all countries.”
Co-hosted with the UAE, the Conference, which brought together more than 1,700 people from all around the world, highlighted achievements through an interactive exhibition and a series of side-events focusing on today’s most relevant topics for UNIDO Member States, including gender, circular economy, youth and entrepreneurship, Industry 4.0, industrial parks, sustainable energy and partnerships.
Some highlights of the week include the appointment of Elisabetta Illy as UNIDO Goodwill Ambassador; the signing of a Country Programme for Madagascar; the exchange of letters with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire; the signing of joint declarations with Huawei and Nornickel, and of a project document on a sustainable industrial zone as part of the PCP for Peru; and the launch of the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum and of UNIDO’s Industrial Analytics Platform, Industrial Development Report 2020 and Strategy for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women 2020-2023.
“Your support and guidance reassures us that we are on the right track to fulfill our mandate of inclusive and sustainable industrial development. This General Conference is a milestone and also a starting point to join in the global call for action, entering the final decade towards Industry 2030,” said DG LI Yong. “Please join me in applauding the leadership of the UAE in driving with UNIDO the advancement of global industrial cooperation.”
Following sessions in Thailand in 1987, Cameroon in 1993, and Peru in 2013, this is the fourth time since becoming a specialized agency that the UNIDO General Conference takes place away from the Organization’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
Original source: UNIDO
Published on 07 November 2019
