Cali, 4 November 2024 - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has engaged with partners at the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) to strengthen the Organization’s contribution to industrial responses to biodiversity challenges, from responsible mining to a sustainable energy transition.

The meeting was held from 21 October – 1 November 2024, with the UNIDO delegation led by the Deputy to the Director General (DDG) and Managing Director, Ciyong Zou, on behalf of the Director General. Engagement at the conference focused on sustainable industrial development opportunities related to biodiversity, circular economy, relevant supply chains (aquaculture, coffee, food processing, etc.) and quality and standards compliance. Through participation in a wide range of key events and high-level bilateral meetings with partner organizations, best practices were shared on sustainability gaps, as well as SME development in selected value chains.

Green industry, circular economy and quality compliance

UNIDO has developed over 50 industrial policies in close collaboration with governments across the world, as highlighted by the DDG during a meeting with Colombia’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Luis Carlos Reyes. “Partnerships have been key to this work and improving quality compliance in strategic value chains and strengthening national capacities is an effective way to accelerate sustainable industrialization in Colombia,” stated DDG Ciyong Zou.

Zou also highlighted UNIDO's expertise in supporting the Government’s efforts to strengthen ¨ZASCAS¨ industrialization centres with a programmatic and long-term vision. The DDG called upon Colombia to explore new areas in value chains that could further strengthen this collaboration and support biodiversity aspects.

Minister Luis Carlos Reyes welcomed UNIDO’s support and expressed hope that the collaboration would strengthen national initiatives, such as the production of flat green steel and the establishment of a development institute to boost the generation of decent and green jobs. Alhilali, noted that experience gained from projects in the cement industry and eco-industrial parks could provide a foundation for policies on heavy industries.

Towards a sustainable energy transition

At a separate meeting with the Minister of Mines and Energy, Andrés Camacho, the DDG drew upon inspiration from various UNIDO projects related to energy districts and eco-industrial parks in a discussion on initiatives aimed at supporting cities to promote a sustainable energy transition.

Responsible and green mining

In a meeting with the Vice-Minister of Environmental Policies and Standardization, Mauricio Cabrera, DDG Ciyong Zou explored areas where UNIDO could enhance value chains in the mining sector. He also spoke about the importance of formal, traceable mining value chains for territorial development in a "peace with nature" approach. The Vice-Minister expressed interest in supporting value chain projects related to non-conventional renewable energy sources and sustainable mobility.

Biodiversity initiatives in Cali

The DDG and the UNIDO delegation also learned more about Santiago de Cali city’s vision and priorities in the area of biodiversity in a separate meeting with the city's Mayor and host of COP16, Álvaro Alejandro Eder. The DDG congratulated the Mayor’s vision for sustainable development of Cali and the Pacific region and emphasized that UNIDO's approach for sustainable industrialization was aligned with the vision.

COP16 is a global forum that unites 196 countries to set actionable goals for protecting biodiversity, involving community, and conservation funding, with a special focus on the connection between climate change and biodiversity from a scientific perspective. The UNIDO delegation participated in various panel discussions and a side event that introduced the Colombian driven Voluntary Joint Declaration on Responsible Mining Practices for the Protection of Life and the Environment. UNIDO has expressed support for this initiative.

“We look forward to further collaboration on biodiversity protection with Colombia and other countries and welcome the opportunity to support industries and supply chains globally to respond to this crucial issue,” said Ciyong Zou.

For further information, please contact:
Smail Alhilali
Chief, Division of Circular Economy and Green Industry