UNIDO History
On 17 November 1966, the United Nations General Assembly passes resolution 2152 (XXI) establishing the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as an autonomous body within the United Nations
Its mission is to promote and accelerate the industrialization of the developing countries. It replaces the 30-Member State strong Centre for Industrial Development (CID) that had been set up on July 1961 in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs within the United Nations Secretariat. One of the directives given to CID in 1961 by the General Assembly was to consider the establishment of a “specialized agency or any other appropriate body for industrial development”.
Staff of CID prepare to leave New York to set up the new organization in the Austrian capital, Vienna. Negotiations with the Austrian Government, the recruitment of additional staff, preparations for the 1967 International Symposium and the installation of the new offices make this a hectic yet rewarding time for the fledgling organization and its core staff.
The United Nations Secretary-General nominates Ibrahim Helmi Abdel-Rahman (Egypt), the head of the Centre for Industrial Development, as UNIDO’s first Executive Director.
Dr. Kandeh K. YUMKELLA (Sierra Leone), current UNIDO Director-General
The General Conference, at its eleventh session, elects Kandeh Yumkella (Sierra Leone) as UNIDO’s fourth Director-General and the first African to hold this position since it became a specialized agency twenty years ago. UNIDO opens a sub-regional office in South Africa, a relatively recent member of UNIDO, bringing the number of its offices in Africa to 22 out of a total of 40 throughout the world
Carlos MAGARIÑOS (Argentina), UNIDO Director-General (1997-2005)
The seventh session of the General Conference appoints Carlos Magariños (Argentina) as UNIDO’s third Director-General. Member States adopt a Business Plan for the Future Role and Functions of UNIDO that paves the way for its thorough overhaul. The purpose of the Business Plan is to enable UNIDO to better respond to the changing global economic environment
Mauricio de MARIA y CAMPOS (Mexico), UNIDO Director-General (1993-1997)
Mauricio de Maria y Campos (Mexico) is elected the second Director-General of UNIDO. This year sees a further restructuring of UNIDO, with an emphasis on services geared to private sector development
Domingo L. SIAZON Jr. (Philippines), UNIDO Director-General (1985-1993)
Following a series of consultations between Member States that have ratified, accepted or approved the new Constitution of UNIDO, the Constitution enters into force on 21 June. The first session of the General Conference of UNIDO as a specialized agency meets in August and elects Domingo L. Siazon Jr. (Philippines) as its Director-General
Abd-El Rahman KHANE (Algeria), UNIDO Executive Director (1975-1985)
In March 1975, the Second General Conference adopts the Lima Declaration and Plan of Action on Industrial Development and Cooperation; a framework for North-South dialogue is drawn up. The Conference agrees on measures in favour of the least developed, landlocked and island developing countries to raise living standards
Ibrahim Helmi ABDEL-RAHMAN (Egypt), UNIDO Executive Director (1967-1974)
UNIDO’s Industrial Development Board (IDB) holds its first session in May 1967. For the next 20 years, its reports are submitted annually to the General Assembly through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
