Shaping the industry of tomorrow for fair globalization.

 

UNIDO is a bridge and platform for global Technology and knowledge transfer, investment and partnership. We are one world. Together, and with stronger global solidarity, we can change the world into a better place, with peace, justice and prosperity for all. We know what to do! The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity are the global framework that the world has already agreed on. Today, the world is facing many challenges which are becoming ever more complex – climate change, global conflicts and geopolitical instability, energy and food crises. The poorest people in developing countries are hit the hardest. It is time to act now! To address global challenges which affect all of us, we need collective efforts and to mobilize huge investments in sustainable industrial and economic development, in innovation and in the practical solutions which are needed specifically in the Global South. Industrialized countries must fulfill their international commitments. We have the technology and the knowledge to end hunger and poverty, mitigate climate change, pursue a green industrial transition, and create jobs for millions of young people. Also, the business sector needs to invest more in sustainable business practices and local value addition, and private investments need to be aligned with the SDGs. We deliver solutions! UNIDO is ready to take up these tasks. We have reformed the organization and modernized it to make it more efficient in order to best support our Member States with building industries which are fit for the future. With the great support of our Member States and partners, we have increased our technical cooperation delivery by 100% since 2021. UNIDO is the bridge and platform for technology and knowledge transfer, for investment and partnership and is strengthening economies and societies in the Global South. We provide normative advice and technical support on the ground. Our vision is to build a fair global economy, free from poverty and hunger, with peace and prosperity for all. Sustainable industrialization is a key driver of economic and social progress - creating decent jobs for a growing population, generating decent incomes and livelihoods while reducing emissions, preserving ecosystems and protecting the planet for future generations. We focus on fostering fair and sustainable supply chains, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, and on renewable and clean energy and climate action. We support circular economy approaches and clean production and make sure that all countries can reap the benefits of digitalization and AI. We invest in training to create opportunities, especially for youth and women, with in-demand skills of the future. Empowering women is key to development! Investing in gender equality benefits the whole of society, economically as well as socially. Women’s economic empowerment and gender equality is taking centre stage in the planning and implementation of our programmes in all sectors. Progress by innovation is our guiding principle to find solutions for the great challenges of today and tomorrow, as well as to shape the future of industries for development. Developing countries need local value addition, better access to regional and global markets and fairer trade. Mobilizing necessary investments in infrastructure and standards require partnerships, especially with the private sector and global financial institutions. UNIDO provides a platform for such partnerships. We have a dedicated team at our headquarters in Vienna and in 49 field offices around the world. Special thanks to all 173 Member States and so many international partners for their great support in our joint mission to make the world more just and to protect the planet and global common goods.

 Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Read the full publication on Progress by innovation.