Press release issued on the occasion of the 18th Session of the UNIDO General Conference

UNIDO’s General Conference closes with clear indications on path towards achieving SDGs

ABU DHABI, 7 November 2019 – The 18th session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General Conference concluded today, 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.

(Wrap up video of the 18th session of UNIDO’s General Conference)

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.

In addition, important documents were adopted including the LDC Ministerial Declaration as well as resolutions on the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and middle-income countries.

“Your support and guidance reassures us that we are on the right track to fulfil 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.”

The UAE Minister of Energy and Industry, Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei added, “Abu Dhabi Declaration is going to hopefully transform the way that we work together, highlighting the role of the

private sector and of the financial institutions in the development of all of the member countries. As countries, we cannot do it alone. We need strong partnerships.”

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.

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Related press release: Innovation and connectivity required for a smooth transition to Industry 4.0

Related press release: UNIDO’s 18th General Conference opens in Abu Dhabi

Find out more about the event here.

Take a tour of the General Conference’s virtual exhibition here.

For more information, please contact:

Sayaphol Sackda

Officer in Charge

UNIDO Advocacy and Media Relations Division

s.sackda@unido.org

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