25 May 2012: The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) have entered into an agreement to collaborate to promote sustainable development through the transfer to developing countries of knowledge and technology relating to renewable energy and energy efficiency in industry.

Under the agreement, UNIDO and ENEA will collaborate on various issues to promote sustainable development and access to sustainable energy. The collaboration will focus on capacity-building and technology transfer to developing countries, and provide technical and professional training and support, particularly in the areas of renewable energy and agro-industry. In addition, the organizations will identify and promote innovative financial mechanisms to support the deployment of renewable energy technology. They will also collaborate in the promotion of the ENEA project, “Education for the Future,” which aims to improve schoolchildren’s knowledge of sustainable development. This project fosters cooperation and partnerships between schools in Italy and Africa, and aims to support the supply of electricity to schools in rural areas using solar photovoltaic sources. [UNIDO News Release]