2 September 2011: The Government of Germany and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the promotion of energy access, energy efficiency and renewable energy in developing countries, including the promotion of sustainable industrial development.

Germany and UNIDO agreed to strengthen their cooperation in light of the preparatory process for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) and the greater efforts carried out by UN-Energy, the UN system-wide coordination mechanism for energy issues, chaired by Kandeh Yumkella, UNIDO Director-General. Germany also expressed support for Yumkella’s leadership of UN-Energy and his efforts to promote the UN Secretary-General’s initiative to ensure universal energy access. The UN General Assembly has designated 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All.

In related news, UNIDO and METRO Group entered into a new cooperation agreement to create more efficient supply chains and better food supplies that will include social, environmental and ethical standards. [UNIDO Press Release on Cooperation Between UNIDO and Germany] [UNIDO Press Release on Cooperation Between UNIDO and METRO Group]