UNIDO LDC-IV Side Event

"Enhancing the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the global value chain approach: technology and knowledge management for agribusiness development in LDCs"

 

At the Fourth United Nations Conference on the LDCs, UNIDO, in cooperation with the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), will host a side event on technology and knowledge transfer for agribusiness development in the least developed countries (LDCs). The event, entitled – “Enhancing the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the global value chain approach: technology and knowledge management for agribusiness development in LDCs” – aims to contribute to the shaping of a new development agenda for LDCs for the coming decade.

 

 

Topics selected for discussion are:

  1. The current status of SMEs in the agribusiness global value chains in LDCs
  2. Specific measures needed from LDC governments to support SMEs along the agribusiness global value chain
  3. Suitable technologies and knowledge management for SMEs vs. absorptive capacities in the LDCs context
  4. Potential areas of contribution of large suppliers and retailers present in LDCs

The conclusions of these discussions are expected to include key recommendations and solutions within technology and knowledge transfer for agribusiness development in LDCs.

Contributors from UNIDO will include Ms. Haidara, Mr. Akpa, Mr. Alcorta, Mr. Scholtes, Mr. Kormawa, Ms. Tas, Mr. Dionne, and Mr. Bocanga. The side event will also be attended by high officials from LDCs, senior representatives from the Government of Turkey, the presidents of TIKA and TUBITAK, professors from Harvard University, members of LDV-IV steering committees and representatives from donor communities.

 

 

Further details

Date, time and venue

10 May 2011, from 8.30 to 10 a.m, at Lufti Kirdar Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Theme, objectives/purpose, format

UNIDO in cooperation with TIKA will be hosting a side event in the format of a breakfast session. UNIDO’s technical cooperation towards the least developed countries (LDCs) is mainly focused on the enhancement of their industrial productive capacities in order to make globalization work for their economies. At the occasion of the “Opening Strategy to Africa” framework adopted by the Government of Turkey in 2008 during the 1st Turkey-Africa cooperation summit in Istanbul, TIKA has been extending its technical cooperation programme within Africa where 33 LDCs are located. UNIDO and TIKA programmatic activities’ agreement in support to LDCs include areas such as agro industrial development, food security, and development of the private sector and SMEs. The objective of this event aims at focusing on the fundamental challenges faced by least developed countries and the role
that effective agribusiness-based value chains can play in an overall poverty reduction strategy. Specifically, it will help promote a possible strategy for LDCs’ vertical diversification in the field of “green industry” thereby improving SME’s competitiveness through the provision of high-quality business development support.

Moderator

UNIDO Director-General, Mr. Kandeh Yumkella.

Potential Panellists

Members of the Eminent Persons Group for LDC IV (tbc); H.E Nihat Ergun, the Turkish Minister of Industry and Trade, 1 LDC minister (chair of the LDCs group), 1 head of UN agency, and 1 representative of the private sector.

Other invitees/Participants

  • Senior government officials present at the Conference
  • Presidents of TIKA and TUBITAK
  • Senior representative of KOSGEB
  • Representatives of the Turkish private sector
  • Members of LDC IV Private Sector steering committee
  • Members of LDC IV Civil Society steering committee
  • Representatives of the donor community, other international and UN agencies (IFAD, FAO, UNCTAD, WTO etc.), and international stakeholders (EU, regional development banks, etc)
  • Representatives of regional commissions (Africa, Asia and Pacific).

Synopsis of the expected outcome

Joint programming initiative launched with TIKA in the areas of agribusiness global value chains in favour of LDCs for the next decade.

 

For more information on side event, please contact:

Fatou Haidara
UNIDO Director, Policymaking Organs Secretariat
Email

For more information about UNIDO, please email: communcations@unido.org