VIENNA, 8 February 2024 - The Secretariat of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) held a Development Dialogue on fostering productive, resilient and sustainable supply chains. The hybrid event convened over 100 participants, including the Permanent Missions of UNIDO’s Member States, as well as key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to discuss supply chains and how they can be transformed to better protect the environment and ensure fair globalization.

During the twentieth session of the General Conference held in 2023, a novel resolution brought forward by Bangladesh on “Strengthening Member States’ capacities in developing productive, resilient and sustainable supply chains” was adopted. The resolution underscores the necessity to cooperate with all relevant stakeholders and to foster inclusive dialogue. It also stresses the importance of sharing technology, knowledge and best practices, alongside providing technical and financial support.

In line with this resolution, the Secretariat is engaging in a consultative process with key stakeholders. Responding to Member States’ requests, Virpi Stucki, Chief of UNIDO’s Division for Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade, presented a proposal for a Global Programme on sustainable supply chains and priority action areas. The Development Dialogue offered a forum for Permanent Missions to provide strategic guidance on UNIDO’s role in driving productive, resilient and sustainable supply chains. 

During his welcome remarks, H.E. Asad Alam Siam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Austria emphasized the importance of the newly adopted resolution towards advancing sustainable supply chains and strengthening UNIDO’s work in this important area. He stated, “The role of the partners across the supply chain, spread over countries, is asymmetric. Through this resolution, we hope UNIDO will help us build our capacity to extract a more equitable share within global supply chains to make them more productive, resilient, and sustainable as well as fair and just.”

The interactive event also featured a panel discussion with distinguished speakers including Vidiya Amrit Khan, Managing Director of Desh Garments Ltd.; Michael Smetana, Managing Director of HP Austria; Daisuke Shamoto, Principal Deputy Director at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan; and Joerg Hofstetter, Associate Professor in Supply Chain Management at Kedge Business School, who contributed valuable insights on the opportunities and bottlenecks for sustainable supply chains.

Gunther Beger, Managing Director of the Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation highlighted the importance of inclusive dialogue and reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to support Member States, especially partners in the Global South, amidst evolving supply chain regulations.

“I'm grateful to all the participants for their commitment and valuable contributions to the resolution and today’s fruitful discussions. This is an ongoing consultative process and I look forward to continuing this important dialogue in the weeks ahead to drive forward our efforts towards sustainable supply chains.”

Contact: 

For more information on UNIDO’s work on sustainable supply chains, please contact the Division of Fair Production, Sustainability and Trade