SHARM EL-SHEIKH - The driving motto of UNIDO’s engagement at COP27 was ‘Progress by Innovation – Solutions for People and Planet' to support developing countries and transition economies in low carbon industrial and economic development. The organization established new climate partnerships and programmes and positioned itself as a key partner for a just energy transition through its work on green hydrogen, decarbonization of industry, innovative climate funding and circular economy.

Highlights of UNIDO’s involvement at COP27 include the DG Müller joining 20 other Heads of State, Ministers, CEOs and International Organizations, on 8th November in a closed-door high-level roundtable, chaired by Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Arab Republic of Egypt, and Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, to address the topic “Investment in the Future of Energy: Green Hydrogen”. The session saw the launch of the ‘Global Renewable Hydrogen Forum’ by Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Arab Republic of Egypt, and Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of Belgium. UNIDO together with IRENA, the Hydrogen Council and the Green Climate Fund are the main partners of this new global initiative and will support its implementation.

UNIDO and the COP27 Presidency hosted an evening event “Future Energy – Green Hydrogen” on 9th November which brought together high-level representatives and experts from developing and industrialized countries to discuss future energy concepts and the potential of green hydrogen. The Director General of UNIDO and the Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), signed a joint declaration on advancing sustainable energy through the fundamental role of green hydrogen.  DG Mueller opened the Presidency Day focusing on Decarbonization, looking specifically at the challenge faced by energy intensive industries.

UNIDO further launched the second phase of the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) “Advancing cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship for climate action and sustainable development” to highlight the key to success for the cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship. On the Presidency Day focusing on Energy, UNIDO supported the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy of Egypt in the organization and moderation of the high-level sessions “Toward a Green Hydrogen Economy- Scaling next-generation energy systems in the developing world”. The panel addressed the potential of developing countries to become green hydrogen producers and explored opportunities for application of green hydrogen within local industries.

COP27 was also an opportunity for UNIDO to strengthen its partnership with key actors in facilitating and funding the clean energy transition, such as the private sector, financial sector and Global Climate Fund. Through the partnerships established and reinforced at COP27, UNIDO engages in finding fresh avenues for a greener, fairer, better world.

For further information, please contact:
Petra Schwager
Chief, Division of Climate and Technology Partnerships 
Email