News

New publication on making standards work for sustainable development

VIENNA, 18 March 2022 - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has launched a new publication titled “Making Standards Work for Sustainable Development: UNIDO and ISO – a longstanding partnership”.

Director General visits IAEA laboratories, says innovation is key to solving global hunger and climate change

VIENNA, 3 March 2022 - How nuclear science helps to control pests, can add to food safety, and allows us to develop new crops - these were some of the topics covered during last week's visit to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) laboratories in Seibersdorf by Gerd Müller, the new Director General of

UNIDO and International Organization of the Francophonie join forces for investment promotion

DUBAI, 22 February 2022 - Fatou Haidara, UNIDO Managing Director for Corporate Management and Operations, has represented UNIDO at the investment forum, “Investir en Francophonie”, at the World Expo Dubai (UAE). 

Director General meets heads of World Bank and IMF

MUNICH, 19 February 2022 - During the Munich Security Conference, 17-19 February, the new Director General of UNIDO, Gerd Müller, met with David R. Malpass, President of the World Bank Group, and with Kristalina Georgieva, Chair and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). UNIDO and both institutions look back at a long and successful working relationship.

Japan continues to support UNIDO’s activities in Africa

VIENNA, 23 February 2022 - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Government of Japan are continuing to deliver on their pledge to support African countries on their path to progress towards the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as building back better from COVID-19. Productive activities carried out in a sustainable manner are crucial to tackle the global climate crisis, protect the environment, end hunger and create jobs.

Improving the quality of post-harvest processes in Ghana’s rice value chain

ACCRA, 18 February 2022 - Rice is an important crop in Ghana, with a steady increase in consumption over recent decades due to population growth, urbanization and changes in consumer habits. However, multiple challenges across the value chain are holding back the full development potential of national rice production.

UNIDO DG Gerd Müller calls for a strong AU-EU partnership on climate and energy at EU Industry Days 2022

BRUSSELS, 10 February 2022 – Gerd Müller, UNIDO Director General intervened at the EU Industry days and stressed the importance of global solidarity to achieve the twin green and digital transition.

Flanders and UNIDO announce joint project to accelerate South Africa’s transition to a green economy

PRETORIA, 15 February 2022 - The Flemish Government has committed 2.4 million Euro (approx. R41m) to a project aiming to strengthen the adaptation capacity for a green and resilient economy in South Africa.

Support for Suriname’s pineapple sector: UN Joint SDG Fund approves 3ADI+ proposal

ROME/VIENNA, 15 February 2022 – The United Nations Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund has awarded a US$2m grant to boost Suriname’s pineapple sector through a programme that will benefit indigenous and other rural communities. It will be implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as lead agencies, in partnership with the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Population Fund.

Boost for Sri Lanka’s cinnamon producers as EU agrees protected geographical indication

VIENNA, 2 February 2022 - Sri Lanka’s application to the European Union for a protected geographical indication for Ceylon cinnamon has succeeded. The application, developed with the technical support of UNIDO, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 22 June 2020 and received a favourable decision from the European Commission on 2 February 2022.

Japan and UNIDO sign agreement on sustainable plastic value chains project in Nigeria

ABUJA, 10 February 2022 – Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment, the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, and UNIDO, have signed a JPY 319 million (approximately US$2.8m) agreement to support government efforts to develop sustainable plastic waste management through the promotion of circular economy practices and to contribute to inclusive and sustainable industrial development of Nigeria.

UNIDO scales up Development Dialogues on the 4IR Strategic Framework

VIENNA, 25 January 2022 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is pleased to announce the launch of a new brochure titled Making the 4th Industrial Revolution Work For All: Development Dialogues on the 4IR Strategic Framework 2021-2030.

First Latin American e-waste report published

VIENNA, 25 January 2022  - According to a new report produced under UNIDO’s Latin America and the Caribbean e-waste project, only three per cent of Latin America’s e-waste is reported as collected through formal channels and treated in an environmentally sound manner. There is no certainty about the remaining 97% that may include US$1.7bn in recoverable materials a year.

UNIDO and Switzerland to support Egypt with the development of eco-industrial parks

CAIRO, 17 January 2022 – The establishment of eco-industrial parks is considered one of the most important policies to accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development, due to their ability to attract local and foreign investment. This creates job opportunities and increases income, while the negative impact on the environment is minimized.

The future of industrial policy in Guinea, according to the UNIDO industrial diagnostics study

CONAKRY, 17 January 2022 – Guinea, a country with an economy dependent on the export of bauxite, gold and diamonds, should urgently diversify. This was one of the main findings of a recent study on the status of industrial development carried out by a team of experts from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The study was conducted in collaboration and consultation with Guinea’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises, as well as representatives of the private sector.

Ethiopia's Ministry of Industry, UNIDO, sign €2m agreement funded by Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation

ADDIS ABABA, 14 December 2021 - Ethiopia's Ministry of Industry and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have signed a €2m agreement to support Integrated Agro-Industrial Parks (IAIPs), funded by the Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation. This agreement will contribute to the development of the agro-industrial sector and the creation of decent jobs and economic opportunities in the rural areas of Ethiopia.

UNIDO, EIF and UNTBLDCs highlight potential benefits of Fourth Industrial Revolution for least developed countries

VIENNA, 13 December 2021 - Least Developed Countries (LDCs) comprise 13% of humanity worldwide, yet they account for just 1.2% of global GDP, according to a new publication released by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in cooperation with the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries (UNTBLDCs) and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF).

Current pandemic trends bring more uncertainty to economic prospects

VIENNA, 16 December 2021 - The most recent data on global manufacturing production, corresponding to the third quarter of 2021, indicate a stabilization after the COVID-19-related economic halt in the previous year. While the economic trajectories vary significantly among countries, most economies experienced solid increases in manufacturing production compared to 2020.

Sustainability within global supply chains requires agile approaches to knowledge sharing and standards setting

VIENNA, 9 December 2021 -  The COVID-19 pandemic and its related socioeconomic impacts have revealed the fundamental challenges that global value chains (GVCs) face, making clear that transformation and greater resilience cannot take place without greater sustainability. The urgency of this need was at the heart of the 2021 Forum on Globalization and Industrialization (FGI), during which UNIDO’s Deputy to the Director General, Hiroshi Kuniyoshi, stressed in his opening remarks that “if we can find solutions th

UNIDO's groundbreaking publication on the adoption of AI by SMEs

VIENNA, 9 December 2021 - Further to its participation in the United Nations High Level Inter-Agency Working Group on Artificial Intelligence, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has developed a new normative document, Empowering SMEs of Developing Countries through 4IR Technologies-Artificial Intelligence.