10 December 2008: UN Industrial and Development Organization (UNIDO) Director-General Kandeh Yumkella has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two Brazilian energy companies, ITAIPU Binacional and Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras S.A. (Eletrobrás), to promote renewable energy use.

The aim of the partnership is to set up a framework for cooperation
between UNIDO and the energy companies, to jointly foster the use of
renewable energy sources and efficient energy technologies worldwide,
with the aim of reducing poverty, increasing economic growth and
raising energy security. Under the agreement, the parties undertake to
make joint efforts to strengthen intra- and inter-regional ties by,
inter alia, creating avenues for the exchange of expertise, knowledge
and information. The partnership builds on previous work, particularly
the joint activities that led to the Global Forum on Renewable
Energies, which convened from 18-21 May 2008, in Brazil. [The MOU] [UNIDO Press Release]