VIENNA, 19 November 2024 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO),  and the Governments of Switzerland and Ukraine have marked a new phase in their partnership to drive sustainable industrialization and support Ukraine’s integration into global markets.

A launch ceremony at UNIDO headquarters marked the additional support in the amount of CHF 4.5 million from Switzerland through the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) to the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP) and the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP) in Ukraine. Both initiatives are reflective of the long-standing partnership between UNIDO and Switzerland and Switzerland’s strong commitment to supporting recovery, sustainable industrialization, economic resilience in Ukraine.

UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller was joined by the Permanent Representative of Switzerland, Ambassador Raphael Nägeli, and, Viktoriia Kuvshynnykova, Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to UNIDO.

Director General Müller: “Our vision is to establish a resilient, green, and sustainable industrial landscape in Ukraine - working together with our partners. Switzerland’s additional contributions are a significant step forward in supporting Ukraine‘s economic and industrial development.”

Ambassador Nägeli emphasized that "the continuation of the two programmes in Ukraine represents an important step towards more sustainable forms of production and greater international competitiveness and contribute to a full recovery of the Ukrainian economy.”

Also present at the event,  Deputy Permanent Representative Kuvshynnykova said: " We express our gratitude to UNIDO and the Swiss government for contributing to the process of economic recovery of our country. Prioritizing Ukraine in UNIDO programming under current leadership of the Organization is much appreciated. We stand ready to work further on our cooperation agenda, in particular within the framework of Green Industrial Recovery Programme for 2024-2028.".

Through the second phase of the GEIPP in Ukraine which begins in 2025, UNIDO will advance energy and resource efficiency as well as circular economy approaches in industry, while developing and modernizing the manufacturing base in Ukraine.

The second phase of the GQSP in Ukraine focuses on SME competitiveness and strengthening national quality systems - promoting standards and enhancing conformity assessment - thereby enabling Ukraine’s industries meet international standards, increase competitiveness and thereby better access global markets.

This next step of cooperation between UNIDO and Switzerland will enhance Ukraine’s industrial recovery efforts in face of significant challenges, including economic and environmental. The combined efforts of the two programmes serve as key components of UNIDO’s Green Industrial Recovery Programme for Ukraine 2024-2028.