VIENNA, 4 March 2021 - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has organized three events during the EU Industry Week 2021, run by the European Commission’s Directorate General of Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (DG GROW) .

The first multi-stakeholder dialogue highlighted the long-standing cooperation between UNIDO, the European Union (EU), and the Organization of African Caribbean Pacific States (OACPS), with a particular emphasis on investment and technology promotion initiatives for the increased competitiveness of developing countries.

Bernardo Calzadilla Sarmiento, Managing Director of UNIDO’s Directorate of Digitalization, Technology and Agribusiness, introduced the event by highlighting the importance of building back better from the COVID-19 pandemic in order to achieve digital transformation and inclusive and green growth.

Cécile Billaux, Head of the European Commission’s Micro-economic analysis, Investment climate, Private sector, Trade and Employment unit, emphasized that UNIDO is an essential partner for the EU in this endeavour. She encouraged the continued joining of forces on a wide range of areas of collaboration, such as the circular economy, technical and vocational education training (TVET), regional value chains, and supporting business-friendly policies.

In his keynote speech, OACPS Assistant Secretary General, Escipión Joaquín Oliveira Gómez, stressed that UNIDO, the EU and OACPS are key partners to seek better lives for people and strengthen businesses in the six ACP regions. This partnership was highlighted during the event with a focus on the ongoing EU-funded UNIDO Programme, “ACP business-friendly: Supporting value chains through inclusive policies, investment promotion and alliances” implemented in nine ACP countries.

The event introduced further UNIDO services in the area of investment and yechnology promotion, such as UNIDO’s tools and methodologies for project appraisal and feasibility analysis:  COMFAR.

Rounding up the event was an introduction to the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Network with its ITP Offices  and how they contribute to the industrial development and economic growth of developing countries, and how responsible investment and sustainable technology will directly contribute to the economic recovery, post-COVID, and greater prosperity in the long term.

The UNIDO ITPOs in EU Member States will also be in focus during  two further events in the series, ITPO Italy’s event on 10 March and ITPO Germany’s event on 24 March.

The recording of the session can be accessed here. 

For further information, please contact

Weixi Gong, Chief, Investment and Technology Promotion Division, ITP Network Coordinator

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Patrick Gilabert, Head of UNIDO Office in Brussels, UNIDO Representative to the European Union

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