Interacting with Member States’ Ambassadors and taking their views into account is paramount for UNIDO. I was thus very glad to recently meet with the long-standing Finnish Ambassador, Ms. Pirkko Hämäläinen, who is now leaving after four years in Vienna to become Finland's Ambassador to Turkey. Finland is a valued partner with projects around the globe and is particularly a strong supporter of UNIDO‘s gender equality activities.

Similarly, a recent meeting with the German Permanent Representative to UNIDO, Mr. Götz Schmidt-Bremme, focused on further developing the Organization‘s engagement in Ukraine, which is being initiated and supported especially by Germany, Austria and Japan. UNIDO is already active there and stands ready as a platform for its Member States to implement infrastructure projects in particular, also in cooperation with Ukrainian municipalities.

A special guest at UNIDO Headquarters was the Australian Ambassador, Mr. Ian Biggs. Australia was a member of UNIDO until 1997, yet is currently interested in a renewed expansion of partnership. I see Australia as a potential key partner, especially in building up cooperation with the Pacific Island States. This cooperation could involve combatting the consequences of climate change, fostering the blue economy and supporting sustainable forestry there.

Australia and the Pacific Island States are of course also very cordially invited to take part in the International Vienna Climate & Energy Forum (IVECF), and the wider Forum Solutions Week from 30 October to 3 November 2023, held at the Hofburg in Vienna. The IVECF is a flagship UNIDO initiative and one of many upcoming events we have been busy preparing for, among these are the 8th edition of the “Bridge for Cities” event which we will be hosting at the VIC on 4 and 5 September, and the 2023 World Cotton Day Celebration on 4 October.