UNIDO Hosts Successful ISO TC 197 Hydrogen Technologies Plenary Week 13-17 November 2023

Vienna, November 17, 2023 - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) successfully hosted the Technical Committees of the ISO TC 197 Hydrogen Technologies Plenary Week from November 13 to 17, 2023, at the Vienna International Centre (VIC). The event, held within the framework of the Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry, brought together more than 150 global experts to deliberate on critical issues surrounding hydrogen standards.

As part of the exclusive programme for the ISO TC 197 members, the UNIDO-ISO Strategic Planning meeting took place titled “Innovation in hydrogen: How to accelerate innovation in H2 in developing countries through standards". This meeting was attended by over 150 in-person attendees and 150 online participants representing 62 countries, including 34 developing nations. The engagement underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by developing countries in their strategies to accelerate hydrogen production.

Key Outcomes:

• Information Sharing on International Standards: Participants stressed the need to share information on the international standards being developed at ISO to enhance transparency and cooperation.
• Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building: Acknowledging the obligation of more advanced countries, discussions highlighted the importance of transferring technical knowledge, providing support to build capacity, and educating on the challenges related to hydrogen technologies.
• New Partnership Models: The plenary emphasized the need to creatively establish new partnership models, fostering collaboration between private entities, government agencies, and international organizations to support developing countries in their hydrogen initiatives.

Technical Tour: Hydrogen Filling Station 17 November

The plenary week concluded with a Technical Tour on November 17 hosted by Wien Energie, providing participants with an insight into a Hydrogen Filling Station. Since 2021, this station, established for buses and trucks in Leopoldau, has been a pivotal part of Vienna's commitment to sustainable transport.

UNIDO is excited to continue shaping the future of sustainable energy through collaboration and shared expertise. The success of the plenary week reflects the commitment of global experts to advancing hydrogen technologies and standards.