Brussels, 21-22 June 2022 -- Under the theme “Global Gateway: building sustainable partnerships for a connected world”, the 15th edition of the European Development Days (#EDD22) was held in Brussels and gathered more than 4,000 participants from the development community.

“Digital transformation requires innovative investments and funding as well as public-private partnerships and a strong focus on capacity building”, said Bernardo Calzadilla-Sarmiento, Managing Director for Digitalization, Technology and Agri-business of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). “At the same time, the role of a twin transition to achieve development challenges – including gender equality, sustainable agriculture, or access to health services – must be highlighted”.

The UNIDO Managing Director spoke during the European Commission-organized high-level panel “Contribution of digital to Africa’s green growth and progress”, which also benefitted from the experience of representatives from, among others, Expertise France, GIZ, SES, Afrilabs, and other civil society organizations. As an immediate follow-up to the session, the discussion continued at the Digital4Developemnt (D4D) Hub stand where further digital cooperation opportunities were explored.

Bilateral meetings were also held with Jérémie Pellet, Director General of Expertise France; Thierry Barbé, Head of the Science Technology Innovation and Digitalization unit at the Directorate General for International Partnerships of the European Commission (INTPA); and Caroline Kamaitha, Vice President for Fixed Data Africa, Société Européenne des Satellites (SES).

UNIDO also contributed to the United Nations’ stand, which advocated for a stronger UN-EU cooperation to scale up efforts towards achieving Agenda 2030, in synergy with the EU Global Gateway. Within the EDD Global Village, a joint UNIDO-EU photography exhibition was also organized and its closing ceremony was attended by numerous high-level participants, including the UNIDO Managing Director; Escipion Oliveira Gomez, OACPS Assistant Secretary General; Malte Gallée, Member of the European Parliament; Nong Sakal, Ambassador of Cambodia; and Junior Tagne, one of the EDD Young Leaders.

“International cooperation is essential to achieve inclusive and sustainable industrial development and to empower young generations”, said Patrick Gilabert, UNIDO Representative in Brussels, speaking on behalf of the development partners during the closing ceremony.

For more information, please contact:

Patrick Gilabert

p.gilabert@unido.org

Flora Demaegdt

f.demaegdt@unido.org