2 December 2011: The 14th session of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General Conference concluded with the adoption of decisions and resolutions on, inter alia: Strengthening UNIDO Activities in Energy and Environment; Youth Employment; Knowledge Networking and Knowledge Sharing for Achieving Development Goals; and UNIDO Activities in the Field of Industrial Policy with a View to Promoting Social Inclusion.

The General Conference, which took place from 28 November-2 December 2011, in Vienna, Austria, was held under the theme “The New Industrial Revolution: Making it Sustainable.” This theme highlighted the critical importance of inclusive and sustainable industrial development strategies for reconciling the three dimensions of sustainable development: environmental, economic and social.

The Conference included a high-level interactive debate on making the new industrial revolution sustainable, as well as five regional round tables focusing on: for Africa, “Economic diversification strategies: a key driver in Africa’s new industrial revolution;” for Asia and the Pacific, “Prosperity for the billions in Asia and the Pacific: green growth and poverty reduction;” for the Arab region, “Youth participation in the inclusive economic development of the Arab region;” for Latin America and the Caribbean, “Will the new green industrial revolution reduce income inequalities in Latin America and the Caribbean?;” and for Europe and the Newly Independent States (NIS), “Promoting innovative industries and technologies for a sustainable future of the Europe and NIS region.”

The Conference also adopted a resolution containing the Vienna Ministerial Declaration for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). [UNIDO General Conference Website] [Decisions and Resolutions Adopted by the General Conference] [UNIDO Press Release]