1 December 2017: The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) announced several partnerships and donor agreements that will help scale up its work on inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) and promote gender equality in industry. Among the announcements made during its 17th General Conference, Switzerland pledged to contribute CHF 17.35 million to UNIDO’s Global Quality and Standards Programme, and China pledged to contribute €24 million over the next four years.

The General Conference convened in Vienna, Austria, from 27 November to 1 December 2017, on the theme, ‘Partnering for Impact – Achieving the SDGs.’ Proceedings highlighted the expansion of country partnerships for ISID in Cambodia and Kyrgyzstan. An Expo displayed innovation in industry, and a TEDx talk addressed the circular economy and green production. Member States appointed Li Yong to a second four-year term as UNIDO Director-General.

The conference also included the signing of agreements with Italy, the Russian Federation, and the Eurasian Development Bank. The EU, Finland, Japan and Sweden are among UNIDO’s top donors.

UNIDO’s 2018 report highlights ways to manage demand-side factors in manufacturing to promote ISID.

Other highlights of the conference included: a side event discussing plans for the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III); a ‘World Women Leaders Talk;’ a breakfast meeting on advancing gender equality under the 2030 Agenda (SDG 5); and the launch of UNIDO’s 2018 Industrial Development Report titled, ‘Demand for Manufacturing: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Development.’ The report highlights possibilities for governments to manage demand-side factors in manufacturing, so as to promote socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable industries. [UNIDO Press Release] [UNIDO Video] [General Conference Webpage] [2018 Industrial Development Report Webpage] [Full Text of 2018 Industrial Development Report]