Workers at an industrial plant in Ethiopia. Global Industrial Summit opened in Riyadh Conor Lennon Economic development
World leaders gathered this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the Global Industry Summit kicked off. Delegates from governments, the private sector and civil society discuss how industrial development can help tackle the world’s most pressing challenges – from climate change and food shortages to creating supply chains that benefit countries and workers around the world equally.
“Industrial development is key to strengthening economies, fighting poverty, creating jobs and ensuring prosperity,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a message to the summit participants, read by the UN representative in Saudi Arabia, Mohamed El-Zarkani.
Existential threats
The event comes at a difficult time for the global economy. A number of developed countries have reduced their spending on external assistance. The UN Climate Conference (COP 30), which ended on Saturday, demonstrated the scale of the climate crisis, which poses an existential threat to entire countries, especially small island developing states. for people and the environment.
Opening ceremony of the Global Industrial Summit in Riyadh.
The summit is held as part of the 21st General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), whose mission is to promote inclusive industrialization, reduce poverty, improve the competitiveness of economies and strengthen sustainability in developing countries.
Discussions at the current conference, which serves as UNIDO’s governing body, are focused on three key issues: reducing emissions and supporting renewable energy, fighting hunger through agribusiness innovation, and creating sustainable supply chains that ensure equitable benefits for workers, communities and the environment.
Time for a “New Global Fairness” “
Speaking to delegates on Sunday, UNIDO Director-General Gerd Müller, who was re-elected to a second four-year term, called on developed countries to step up their fight against global inequality. asking why, 30 years after promising to allocate 0.7 percent of national budgets to development assistance, this goal has still not been achieved.
According to Mueller, the time has come for a “New Global Fair Deal” that will provide developing countries with a more favorable environment in the global financial system and give them duty-free access to global markets. Africa, leaders of the world’s largest economies gathered for the annual G20 summit. Mueller made a direct appeal to them to reverse decisions to cut funding for UN humanitarian agencies, including the World Food Program (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
“This is nothing less than a death sentence for the millions of children, refugees and people living in crises who depend on humanitarian assistance,” the head warned UNIDO.
What to expect from the 21st session of the General Conference
By the end of the week, the 21st General Conference is expected to make decisions that will shape the work of UNIDO over the next two years. These decisions can influence how the industry sector contributes to a greener, fairer and more sustainable world.
Delegates will consider draft resolutions, hear reports on UNIDO’s activities and discuss new initiatives. The conference also began preparations for elections to the Industrial Development Board and the Program and Budget Committee, which oversee the activities of UNIDO.