Vienna, 25 November 2024 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, signed a Joint Declaration on strategic cooperation, on the sidelines of the 52nd UNIDO Industrial Board Meeting, today.

The Joint Declaration signed by the Vice Chair of the Management Board Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven and the Director General of UNIDO Gerd Müller reinforces their cooperation in eight key areas of sustainable value chains; climate action and sustainable energy; agri-food systems; trade and market access; innovation, jobs & skills; Ukraine’s local economic growth; local production of pharmaceuticals, and women’s economic empowerment.

UNIDO, as a specialized agency of the United Nations, has the central role in coordinating all activities of the United Nations system in the field of inclusive and sustainable industrial development and is active in more than 120 countries. Whereas GIZ is the world’s largest provider of global services in international cooperation for sustainable development and education, also active in more than 120 countries.

“I am delighted that we have signed a Joint Declaration on strategic technical cooperation between UNIDO and GIZ, which will further enhance our partnership. Together, we can achieve much more for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals! That’s why UNIDO joins forces with the world’s largest provider of global services in international cooperation to foster sustainable economic growth, industrial development and private sector engagement for the benefit of the planet and people, especially women and youth!” said Director General Gerd Müller.

Vice Chair of the Management Board, Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven emphasized: “Cooperation is key to tackling global challenges. UNIDO brings invaluable know-how through its long-standing expertise in sustainable industrial development with the objective of reducing poverty, strengthening the economy and protecting the environment. UNIDO therefore is an important partner for GIZ. We look forward to further strengthening our collaboration, combining the expertise and resources of both organizations to drive sustainable progress and innovation on a global scale.”

GIZ also announced an additional project funding for UNIDO of €3.2 million for the program “Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development” in the Philippines. GIZ and UNIDO have joined forces with other partners in a consortium, where UNIDO will lead on energy efficiency in micro, small, and medium enterprises, supporting governments in developing energy-efficient and climate-smart industries and services.

Over the past years GIZ and UNIDO have worked together to foster industrial policy tools and analytics, due diligence in industry, sustainable energy and green hydrogen, resource efficiency, job creation and vocational training, local production of pharmaceuticals in developing countries, and to support recovery in Ukraine.

Director General Gerd Müller and the Vice Chair of GIZ’s Management Board Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven further agreed that the Joint Declaration should guide both parties in their efforts to develop concrete cooperation projects as to scale up their partnership to successfully face current and future global challenges.