VIENNA, 1 December 2021 - During the 19th session of the UNIDO General Conference, a side event “International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development 2021” was held, showcasing a wide scope of UNIDO technical assistance projects and tools, encompassing support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and clusters active in creative industries. In particular, industrial design, branding and marketing that draws on local cultural heritage, business management practices based on digitalization and e-commerce, were highlighted as means for SMEs to become more competitive locally and globally.

The side event gathered international experts and UNIDO project beneficiaries active in creative industries in different countries, including Tajikistan, Tunisia, Lebanon and Armenia. The participants engaged in fruitful discussions on how artisanal expertise and cultural heritage can become drivers of an all-encompassing social change, leading to improved livelihoods of vulnerable social groups and rural communities, including youth, women and refugees, through new employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in such fields as industrial design, artisanal and handicraft products, traditional food industries, branding and digital marketing.

The International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development 2021 was declared at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2019. Resolution A/RES/74/198 recognized the need to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, foster innovation, promote empowerment opportunities for all and respect human rights. This year saw international efforts to raise awareness, promote cooperation and networking, encourage the exchange of best practices and experiences to create an enabling environment in the creative economy.

Watch the recording of the event here and photos available here.

For further information, contact: Riccardo Savigliano (r.savigliano@unido.org); Kjell Sundin (k.sundin@unido.org) and Farrukh Alimdjanov (f.alimdganov@unido.org)