For more information, please see:

Conference of African Ministers of Industry, 18th session

DIVA is a magazine dedicated to the international community, mainly in Geneva but also elsewhere – for example in Beirut, Nairobi or New York. It aims at becoming a magazine of interest to the international community by trying to propose a variety of articles that might concern the work of international civil servants, members of the diplomatic corps, the staff of NGOs – globally, regionally or even locally.

In his statement, the Director-General is highlighting the promotion of trade as a tool of development, such as the "Aid for Trade" initiative: "UNIDO’s Aid For Trade interventions are built upon the core objectives of the AFT. We would like to address developing country concerns about trade marginalization. World trade has seen a significant increase over the last two decades. However, the gains from trade have not been equitably shared. There are two key areas where UNIDO can help countries to expand their trade :

First, over 90% of global trade is in manufactures. At present, many developing countries do not have sufficient tradable goods. They need to be assisted to develop supply capacity – in other words manufacturing capacity. Supporting industrial development in developing countries is our key mandate. We can thus make a unique contribution to the success of Aid For Trade.

Second, when products are exported, they need to meet the quality and safety standards of importing countries. With recent health scares generated by mad-cow disease, avian flu, and high antibiotic and pesticide residues in food products, global standards are getting stricter. Developing countries need to be able to comply with these standards through strong national institutional capacities for testing, certification, and calibration. UNIDO is the key agency providing technical support for the development of these capacities."

(Kandeh K. Yumkella, UNIDO Director-General, 2008).

For more information, please follow the link:

http://www.ondayone.org/node/3822

The Better World Campaign is a nonpartisan organization. The organization does not endorse, support, or oppose any candidate, campaign, or party. "On Day One" is an educational campaign designed to enhance understanding among the American public and alert candidates for office of the need and potential for international cooperation in addressing key global challenges.

In his statement, the Director-General is highlighting the complexity of international issues: "The next US president needs to strengthen the United Nations system. We need the infrastructure of the UN to deal with very complex international issues like climate change, the price of food, the price of energy and international political stability. The U.S. has a key role to play in strengthening the UN's role in tackling these complex problems." (Kandeh K. Yumkella, UNIDO Director-General, September 2008).

For more information, please follow the link:

http://www.ondayone.org/node/3822

As part of its response, UNIDO is organizing, in cooperation with the Government of Egypt and the SEKEM Initiative, an international conference on sharing innovative agribusiness solutions, to be held in Cairo, Egypt, from 26 to 27 November 2008.

The conference will bring together agribusiness stakeholders, representatives of public and private technical and financial institutions, international organizations, donors, NGOs and academia to share innovative agribusiness solutions and best practices that can potentially be scaled up and/or transferred to other countries or regions.

The inspiration for the conference was the success of the UNIDO project "Traceability of agroindustrial products for the European market," which assists Egyptian farmers and the food industry to increase food safety and overcome technical barriers to trade, thus facilitating the access of Egyptian food products to export markets.

Rather than discussing problems and assessing needs, the conference will provide an opportunity for matchmaking between those seeking ways to achieve sustainable agribusiness development and those with innovative solutions, as well as finance for development assistance and investment.

Conference preparations are being supported by a team of high-level experts, who are assessing the innovative solutions to identify those most suitable for replication, as well as by an International Advisory Board (IAB). The members of the IAB will provide independent views and informed advice on the conference and its follow-up, in order to help promote it and ensure maximum impact.

The opening session of the conference will be moderated by the award winning journalist Todd Benjamin, contributing financial editor for CNN International.

Conference Themes

1. Supply/value chains, market access and linkages: In order for farmers, especially small farmers, and SMEs to participate in a sustainable manner in the food industry supply/value chain, transaction-based mechanisms and viable business solutions must be developed to fill gaps along the chain. The theme will focus on creating market access for these farmers and food processors, linking producers with buyers.

2. Compliance with standards and conformity assessment: Building the capacity of agribusiness actors in developing countries is essential to enable them to comply with standards throughout the supply chain, including SPS measures, in order to overcome barriers to trade.

Greater compliance will increase the quality and safety of food and protect consumers in both developing and developed countries.

3. Technology and value addition: Developing countries need to progress from producing and exporting commodities to adding value and increasing productivity through sustainable processing and manufacturing. This is also essential for domestic food security as it is a means of reducing post harvest crop losses.

4. Innovative forms of financing:  New forms of financing are needed for both technical cooperation and business investment, including investment in domestic enterprise development (patience capital vs. venture capital) and in public and private infrastructure.

Potential participants should register at www.agribusiness-solutions.org. Those who are interested in presenting a solution to an agribusiness problem and/or are seeking a solution to an agribusiness problem should complete the respective submission form (also available on the web site). These submissions will be considered by a technical selection committee and, if selected, the participant will be invited to present it at the conference, participating as well in a matchmaking event. The best model solution identified in each of the four themes will receive an award at a ceremony during the Conference. UNIDO will be able to provide travel and accommodation for a limited number of participants.

For more information, please contact:

UNIDO HQ, Vienna:
Mr. Gerardo Patacconi
Unit Chief
Productivity, Quality and Enterprise Upgrading Unit
Trade-Capacity Building Branch
Tel: +43 1 26026 3605 5153
Email

UNIDO Field Office, Egypt:
Mr. Paul Makin
UNIDO Representative, UNIDO Field Office in Egypt
2 Latin America Street, Garden City, 4th floor
P.O. Box 37 - Bab El Louk
Postal Code 11513, Cairo, Egypt
Tel: +20 2 27943477
Email

For more information, please see:

Factsheet

President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, are expected to deliver the keynote statements.  Ms. Asha-Rose Migiro, UN Deputy-Secretary-General, will open the high-level dialogue with statements to be given by Mr. Stefano Manservisi, Director-General of the European Commission’s Development Cooperation, Ambassador Olukorede Willoughby, Chief Executive Officer of the New Economic Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD),  Mr. Namanga Ngongi, President, AGRA, Ms. Patricia Francis, Executive Director, International Trade Centre, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa, and Mr. Charles Gore, Special Coordinator, UNCTAD.  Mr. Cheick Sidi Diara, Under Secretary General, Office of the Special Adviser on Africa will give the concluding remarks.

Drawing on relevant experiences from the newly industrialized countries in Asia and elsewhere, the high-level dialogue will discuss how the current growth momentum in Africa can transform African countries into tiger economies and thus accelerate the process of wealth creation and poverty reduction in the continent.  The panel of speakers will also discuss how international and regional cooperation, including South-South cooperation, can help facilitate inclusive and equitable growth in Africa; how the requirements of rapid economic growth and environmental protection can be reconciled; how domestic financial resources may be better harnessed for development; how increased participation in international trade can boost the growth momentum in Africa; and how agricultural development can stimulate broader economic growth while enhancing food security, reducing poverty, and preserving the environment.

The meeting is being organized by UNIDO in cooperation with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

For more information, please contact:
Mr. George Assaf
UNIDO Spokesperson, UNIDO
Tel.: +43-1-26026-3489
E-mail

For more information, please see:
Press Release

In light of these serious environmental issues, the Ministry of Environment of Jordan and the Municipality of Greater Amman have asked UNIDO to assist them in the organisation of a High Level Environmental Forum entitled "Eco-Cities of the Mediterranean" at the Dead Sea in Jordan from 19th to 21st October 2008. The forum will promote awareness, best practices, investment opportunities and technology transfer in the environmental sector in Jordan as well among municipalities in the Mediterranean region. The public and private sectors will be active participants.

Eco-cities are areas where urban planning and environmental management tools are applied to pursue synergies in resource utilisation, waste management, environmental preservation, promotion of industrial and economic development and a healthy living environment. Local governments and enterprises must work in partnership to build the Eco cities and enterprises can assist local governments to increase their revenue base by reducing the cost of environmental degradation. Ministers and Mayors will be involved in the process, as top management commitment is essential to achieving Eco Cities. At the same time, to promote Public Private Partnerships, the private sector will be given a platform to showcase its offer and to demonstrate to municipal government representatives the gains that can be made in partnering with them.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Ludovic BERNAUDAT
Water Management Unit
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
e-mail

For more information, please see:

Eco-cities official website

The objective of the workshop is:

1. To provide participants with practical and up-to-date knowledge on quality standards, laboratory testing procedures, quality control and new prospects so as to enhance their technical knowledge, skills and managerial capabilities in the field of testing of physical properties of textiles.
2. To facilitate technical and business exchanges and partnerships among developing countries.

The participants will profit from the practical training on specific quality and process control techniques, testing and analyses that will be demonstrated in the laboratory and by an on-site plant visit during the workshop.

Download the entire Aide-Memoire (PDF, 97 KB)

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Yuen-Hoi LEE
UNIDO Industrial Development Officer
+43 1 26026 3837

To download the original press release, click here.

• Eminence and focus on manufacturing as a dynamic force of rapid economic transformation, with an accent on fostering economically efficient, ecologically friendly and socially desirable pattern of sustainable development
• People-centred management style that makes his colleagues work with dignity, honesty and integrity
• Re-definition of the mandate of UNIDO with practical foresight and orientation of its core programmes and reforms of its practices
• Total commitment to promote South-South cooperation as a compliment to North-South cooperation.

In his acceptance speech Dr. Yumkella, said  “Knowledge is a source.  And, innovation is a force, which propels the wheels of socio-economic transformation in societies. Universities are playing an increasingly important role in generating new knowledge, which is commercialised by dynamic firms.  The skills and capabilities today stem from an interactive framework between universities, institutions and enterprises.  Such an interactive framework is the nerve centre of national and sectoral innovation systems and the basis for sustainable wealth and employment creation.” He added, “ In an internationally competitive environment, it is not the question of survival of the biggest or smallest. It is a question of the survival of the fastest.  The fastest are those who interact with centres of excellence.  European Universities were established 600 years before the industrial revolution.  The then pattern of industrial production did not require the type of skills and knowledge generated by those universities. The origin of the industrial revolution took place in a small workshop and not in the classroom.  Today’s innovative ideas stem from the classrooms of universities. This process necessarily implies that the major focus of policy initiative should be on the temples of learning.  Now, the process of industrial development is not driven by resource endowments alone.  It is now largely driven by knowledge, technology, skills, information and networking.”

The Director-General wished the University of Madras well in its endeavour to generate new knowledge, skills, capabilities and networks with the corporate sector as major sources of dynamic growth. He also saluted all who have worked so hard for the University during the last 150 years, making it the great University it is today.  He also mentioned that what the University has so far accomplished is a journey of great achievements. But this is not the end of the journey. The University has a great future. He expressed his confidence that it would continue to grow from strength to strength and that the roots of the 150-year-old tree will make all the branches of University bear more fruits.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. George Assaf
UNIDO Spokesperson
Tel. + 43 1 26026 3849

To download the original press release, click here.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Barbara Kreissler
Industrial Development Officer, UNIDO
Industrial Policy and Private Sector Development Branch

Telephone: +43 1 26026 3420

"The majority of developing countries are unable to meaningfully participate in the profitable global trade of manufactured goods. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) aims to address this inequality by helping developing countries attract investments, develop their supply capacity, ensure
compliance with market requirements and standards, and gain access to export markets, while protecting consumers and the environment. UNIDO is conscious that a country’s degree of involvement with standardization and conformity assessment (for example, number of nationally adopted standards, enterprises certified, laboratories accredited, etc.) tends to be reflected in its general level of economic and industrial development. This has a bearing on the efficiency of its economy and its ability to produce and trade.

The developing world recognizes that delays in adopting processes for the harmonization of standards and for continuously improving quality, standardization, metrology and conformity assessment will hinder its potential
to fully enjoy the advantages of global trade, and jeopardize its efforts towards
development, employment creation and poverty reduction.

UNIDO thus offers support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to comply with International Standards and regulations and overcome technical barriers to trade or sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Numerous national standards bodies (NSBs), laboratories and conformity assessment bodies in developing countries benefit from UNIDO’s capacity-building and technical assistance services.

Ideally, NSBs should actively participate as full members in international standards organizations and their development work. However, they often lack the financial resources and technical experts needed for such investment – issues that UNIDO aims to address through its programmes and activities.

UNIDO’s holistic trade capacity- building approach is characterized by strong partnerships with international organizations and technical bodies. In this spirit, a UNIDO/ISO Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2003 to jointly assist developing countries and emerging economies to enhance industrial development and participate in world trade through standardization.

Following up, UNIDO has supported numerous NSBs in becoming ISO members, increasing their participation in international standardization activities, harmonizing national standards with ISO standards and assisting businesses, governments and consumers in implementing ISO standards. UNIDO is also committed to supporting the ISO Action Plan for Developing Countries.

UNIDO’s recent involvement in ISO-led activities encompassed food safety and traceability standards, social responsibility and energy management, the joint development and publication of Fast Forward – National standards bodies in developing countries and training material for food safety management (ISO 22000) – examples of how the synergy between the leading international standards development organization, ISO, and the UN agency mandate to foster sustainable industrial development is effective and vibrant.

As Chairman of UN-Energy, I am working towards combining efforts to combat climate change, promote energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy. With this aim, UNIDO turned to the implementation of energy efficiency and management systems in developing countries, with a view to also enhance their participation in the standardization process.

Following a joint initiative from UNIDO and the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), ISO established a new project committee (ISO/PC 242, Energy management) to develop a management system standard for energy (MSE). UNIDO will carry out regional studies to identify opportunities and barriers associated with its adoption. UNIDO is also working with ISO to organize the breakout session on standards for energy efficiency, water, climate change,
and their management, which will be held in conjunction with the 42nd meeting of the ISO committee on developing country matters (ISO/DEVCO).

To benefit from the current globalized market economy, developing countries must be able to achieve international levels of quality and safety by meeting a wide range of standards, regulations, tests and certification requirements. It is imperative to strengthen their institutional and human capabilities in quality, standardization and conformity assessment, and to participate more actively in related international activities. This goal is at the heart of UNIDO’s actions and its partnership with ISO and its members."

Download Dr. Yumkella's statement in ISO Focus as PDF (110 KB)

Go to Speeches of the Director-General

 
For more information, please contact:

Mr. Gerardo PATACCONI
UNIDO, Vienna International Centre
Chief of Productivity, Quality and Enterprise Upgrading Unit
Telephone: +43 1 26026 3605

Against this backdrop, the LDCs Ministerial Conference, which was organized by UNIDO in collaboration with the Group of 77, and held in Vienna from 29 to 30 November 2007, explored at length how the opportunities emerging from such new instruments as Aid for Trade (AfT) and Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) could be used to help LDCs to transform economically.

UNIDO, in close collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO), will hold a two-day Workshop in Kigali, Rwanda, from 8 to 9 Septembers 2008, to deliberate on how to translate AfT into concrete actions, aimed at expediting the industrial transformation of LDCs.

The Kigali Workshop is a preparatory process for the Conference of the Ministers of Industry from the LDCs, which will be held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from 19-20 November, 2008.

The Kigali Workshop underscores UNIDO’s commitment to the AfT and EIF programmes and provides a participatory mechanism for reviewing the practical issues of UNIDO’s programme of assistance to LDCs. The Workshop will offer a technical peer review mechanism on the practicality of UNIDO’s programme of assistance for LDCs in the implementation of AfT and EIF. It will bring together high officials from selected Ministries of Industry, high-level technical representatives and experts in the field of trade and industrial policy, as well as representatives from UN Agencies and special bodies, multilateral organisations, regional development finance institutions, and donor organizations.

Apart from the UNIDO’s concept for mainstreaming AfT and EIF in its development support, and a comprehensive supply-side approach, delegates to the Kigali Workshop will deliberate on UNIDO’s prioritized areas of support, including agribusiness, and private sector development. In this context, the EIF pilot programmes prepared by UNIDO for eight LDCs (Benin, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, and Yemen) will be presented and discussed.  The experiences of Cambodia and Rwanda in respect to the DTIS process, will be shared with other LDCs. 

Donor organizations invited to the Kigali Workshop will have the opportunity to illustrate how they have helped LDCs in trade-related productive capacity building, and what their future plans are. UN agencies, Regional Commissions (e.g. ECA and ESCAP), multilateral organizations, and regional development finance institutions (e.g. the AfDB and the ADB) will also present details of their programmes. 

Based on the discussions at Kigali, recommendations will be made, inter alia, of support programmes  which will form the subject of discussions at the Siem Reap Ministerial Conference. On endorsement by the Ministers present at Siem Reap, the recommendations will be adopted through a Declaration, which, in turn, will form the basis of, and be integrated into, UNIDO’s Comprehensive Supply-Side Approach.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Fatou Haidara
Director, Special Programmes Group
UNIDO
Vienna International Centre
P.O. Box 300, A-1400 Vienna
E-mail

This project aims at assisting the total food chain in the CEE to reach international quality and safety standards, and in turn, to enhance European competitiveness as a whole by developing an industry, which is synonymous with safety, diversity, sophistication and products of high quality. In this context the exercise will identify specific needs and to develop a number of common actions to strengthen the food industry of the countries involved in the project.

The conference will present the main results of the project such as the Socio-economic Scenarios, Key Technologies, The Future Visions, the Road Map and the Policy Recommendations.

The objective of the conference is, on the basis of the project findings and recommendations, to stimulate dialogue among the stakeholders in the food industry to launch measures towards guaranteeing healthy and safe food for the future in the CEE.

For more information on the project, please visit the website:

www.FutureFood6.com

In his keynote address, Mr.Yumkella made a plea that youth participation must go beyond fora and debate. He called for tailor-made programmes to address youth-specific issues and for youth-led development. Accounting for more than half of the world's population, young people must take a leading role in forging tomorrow's world. In an increasingly interconnected world, this calls for effective collective and collaborative action, particularly at the country level. The international community, through the United Nations system, has a unique capacity - and responsibility - to ensure new ways of effectively engaging youth in development.

At each Congress, young people honour a number of distinguished adults for their support of youth issues and their leadership in securing critical investment from government, the international community and the private sector, required to meet their most urgent needs. This year’s Congress is commemorating the role of youth in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and brought together 600 of the world's most dynamic young sustainable development activists from 120 countries.

As a tribute from youth, the award has been greatly appreciated by all those who have won it, including: King Mohammed VI of Morocco; Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, UK; James Wolfensohn, former President of the World Bank; Rick Little, Founder, Quest International and International Youth Foundation; Enrique Iglesias, former President, Inter-American Development Bank.

Mr. Yumkella was also the recipient of the 2007 Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth International Alumni Award from the University of Illinois for Exceptional Achievement and contributions to international development.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. George Assaf
UNIDO Spokesperson
Tel. + 43 1 26026 3849
E-mail

For more information, please see:

Press Release (English and French)

During his recent visit to the UNIDO Regional Office in South Africa, UNIDO director-general Kandeh K. Yumkella met with South African President Thabo Mbeki. Issues under discussion included the outcome of the January 2008 African Union Summit and preparations for the Conference of African Ministers of Industry, which will be held in October 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

From left to right: Ms. Matilda Muweme, UNIDO Industrial Development Officer (Africa Programme), UNIDO Director-General Mr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, South African President Mr. Thabo Mbeki and Ms. Lorence Ansermet, Regional Office in South Africa.

Mr. Truong Van Doan, Vice Minister of MPI said, "Business registration reform will reduce the cost and time for completion of business, tax, statistics and seal registration requirements by simplification and standardization of pre-registration and registration procedures and steps in one consolidated application form. There will be nationwide access to official information on enterprises. Single-point-registration services will be performed by 63 Business Registration Offices at provinces and ensure the same level of service regardless of business location. Each registered enterprise will have a unique ID, which will be the same as the tax code for that enterprise."

Mr. Kjell Magne Storløkken, Ambassador of Norway indicated, "Norway appreciates the steps taken by the Vietnamese Government in private sector development and public administration reform. In the post WTO accession period, consolidated registration reform will contribute to improved transparency in the business environment, facilitate the implementation of the Enterprise Law and reduce the transaction costs and risks in executing business activities in Viet Nam. Norway’s Brønnøysund Registers Center will be an active partner of the project."

Ms. Nilgün F. Taş, UNIDO Representative pointed out that, "The National Business Registry will facilitate information sharing between the ministries and offices involved, reduce duplicate use of business names and offer web-enabled services, including on-line submission of registration applications. MPI will also invest in information and communication systems and train staff. By 2010, the time for completion of registration procedures will be significantly reduced. Subsequent modules of technical assistance will set up a web-based information distribution system and the filing of audited, annual financial statements of shareholding enterprises as required by the Enterprise Law".

The project will be implemented under the UN's "One Plan", a joint action programme between the Government and all 14 resident UN organizations in Viet Nam.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Dag Larsson
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)
Oslo, Norway
Phone: +47-22-24-20-30
Fax: +47-22-24-20-31
Email

Ms. Nilgün F. Taş
Representative
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), 
Viet Nam Country Office
Phone: +84 4 8224490
Fax: +84 4 9422484
Email

Mr. Le Quang Manh
Deputy Director General
Agency for SME Development
The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI)
Phone: +84-080-44324
Fax: +84-4-734-2189
Email

For more information, please see:

Press Release

The UCSSIC has been set up for the promotion of South-South cooperation in the field of industrial development. UNIDO believes that the essence of South-South cooperation is the effective utilisation of the wealth of knowledge and capacity in the South. When this is systematically mobilized and shared, it can facilitate and accelerate the gainful participation of  developing countries in the global economy. A similar centre has been opened in India and others are planned.

These centres will act as platforms for facilitating investment and manufacturing trade partnerships among developing countries. They will  thereby enhance the dissemination of valuable development experiences and technological progress gained in China and other industrially more developed countries.  

According to Mr. Tan Weiwen, Director of UCSSIC, some immediate priorities of UCSSIC include application of new and renewable energy and development of agro-industry projects.

In February 2008 the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approved the establishment of a new project committee (PC 242 – Energy Management) appointed to develop the newISO Management System Standard for Energy, ISO 50001.

Energy management standards constitute a proven market-based mechanism for industry to reduce operating costs and increase profitability through sustainable energy efficiency.  They offer an expert and best practices-based framework for organizations and enterprises to develop energy efficiency goals, create plans to achieve those goals, prioritize efficiency measures and investments, monitor and document results and ensure continuity and constant improvement of energy performance.

The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the energy management concepts behind ISO 50001 and to obtain input from leading experts and managers concerning their views on the new energy management standard and its likely impact on industrial operations and energy efficiency policy in Latin America. 

The meeting is primarily targeted to representatives of industry and manufacturing enterprises, policy-makers from governmental energy agencies and national standards setting authorities, experts in energy management systems and industrial energy efficiency from the region.

By attending this meeting industry, policy makers and standards authorities from the region will have the opportunity to learn more about energy management standards; they will learn about international and regional peers’ experience, and better understand how ISO 50001 may and will impact their practices, performance and policies.

The meeting will provide industry and enterprises a key opportunity to participate in the ISO 50001 development process by voicing their concerns and interests, and to make recommendations to ISO PC 242.  It will allow policy-makers and other relevant institutions to be informed by and discuss with about the best options and measures to support industry in benefiting from the adoption and implementation of ISO 50001.

The meeting is jointly organized by UNIDO and the Brazilian Association of Technical Standardization (Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas - ABNT) and it is supported also by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP).

About ABNT

The Brazilian Association of Technical Standardization (Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas - ABNT) is a not-for-profit private entity.  Established in 1940, ABNT is responsible for the elaboration and diffusion of technical standards in the country.  ABNT main functions are to promote and manage the development of standards in Brazil, and to ensure and certify conformity of products, processes, services and systems in relation to standards or other normative documents.  ABNT represents Brazil in international standardization bodies, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), as well as in several regional standardization institutions.  In partnership with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), ABNT holds the Secretariat of ISO PC 242. For more information please see http://www.abnt.org.br

About REEEP

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) is a global public-private partnership.  REEEP actively structures policy initiatives for clean energy markets and facilitates financing mechanisms for sustainable energy projects. By providing opportunities for concerted collaboration among its partners, REEEP aims to accelerate the marketplace for renewable energy and energy efficiency.  REEEP’s goals are: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deliver social improvements to developing countries and countries in transition; by improving the access to reliable clean energy services, by making renewable energy technologies more affordable; and to bring economic benefits to nations that use energy in a more efficient way and increase the share of indigenous renewable resources within their energy mix.  The partnership is funded by a number of governments including: Australia, Austria, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, The United States and the European Commission.  For more information please see http://www.reeep.org

For the the Aide-Mémoire, please click here: English; Spanish

For the Flyer, please click here: English; Spanish

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Robert O. Williams
Chief, Energy Efficiency Unit
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Email: R.Williams& # 0 6 4;unido.org

Mr. Marco Matteini
Energy Efficiency Unit
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Email: M.Matteini& # 0 6 4;unido.org

Under the main project for “Product and Market Development for Sisal and Henequen”, UNIDO has been working with various stakeholders including at the international level, CFC and FAO and at the local level - M/s. Katani Ltd., Tanzania Sisal Board, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing, ARI – Mlingano in attempting to move Sisal processing from merely producing the traditional fibre and twine products towards a wider array of industrial products with significant market potentials. It is a well known fact that the traditional methods utilize around 2 to 4 percent of the total Sisal plant and either use the rest as re-fertilizer material or discard it as waste with some detriment to the environment.

Through intensive research and analysis it has been shown that Sisal can be potentially used for the production of energy.

The latter has been the focus of the pilot demonstration project, which UNIDO has been contributing to through its initiative on “Rural Energy for productive use” with the support from CFC. In collaboration with personnel from Katani Ltd. And German sub-contractor Bioenergy Berlin Gmbh an electricity generating unit has been setup, utilizing biogas, produced through anaerobic digestion of the sisal processing waste. The project is situated at the Katani Sisal estate in Hale, Tanga. Bioenergy Berlin Gmbh  supplied equipment from China, constructed the civilworks in addition to commissioning the plant and training Katani ltd. Staff in operation and maintenance of the systems.

Appropriate training programs and studytours to biogas production facilities in China, were organized to enable staff at Katani ltd. to gain valuable experience in the operation and maintenance of medium-scale biogas energy systems. The equipment suppliers have remained in close contact with staff at Katani Ltd in order to offer further support. The biogas is produced with the waste derived from the Sisal decortication plant. The stored biogas is then used to run two 150Kw electricity generators for a rated total electricity output of 300 Kw. The electricity is used mainly within the decortication plant and some of the excess can also be supplied to the domestic quarters within the estate. The excess biogas can also be distributed to surrounding communities to cover cooking and lighting requirements.

The project is a good example of how cleaner and renewable energy technologies can significantly reduce environmental pollution and degradation of the ecosystems while providing surplus energy for productive use. Soil fertility will also be improved by the bio-fertilizer by-products from the process. The project demonstrates the potential for significantly improving economic viability for the sisal processing industry through the provision of cheaper and cleaner energy generated from process waste and thus enhancing overall competitiveness in local and international markets. Excess energy produced in this manner can be potentially fed to the grid or distributed to surrounding rural populations.

The concept on production of bio-energy from sisal waste was developed in 2005 within the context of the larger CFC - financed "Product and Market Development of Sisal and Henequen Products" project. Katani Ltd, are the main counterpart together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Tanzania Sisal Board.

The BOI is Nigeria’s largest development bank and invests in small and medium sized enterprises that contribute to the processing of local raw materials and generate employment, particularly among women.

Among the projects discussed with UNIDO were an investment in a power plant that produces renewable energy from rice husks and the establishment of a supplier benchmarking and partnership exchange to help Nigerian automotive components manufacturers become more efficient.

While they were in Vienna, the Delegation also met representatives from the Austrian Development Bank and KommunalKredit, an Austrian organization that supports projects to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Thomas Kenyon
Industrial Development Officer
Tel. + 43 1 26026 3893
E-mail