VIENNA, 6-7 October 2022 – Avenues to strengthen cooperation amidst emerging challenges and opportunities in the global development landscape were explored by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at its regional conference titled “Reinforcing partnerships for development cooperation in the European region”.

A platform for dialogue was established between UNIDO and key institutions of its development partner countries in Europe, including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovenia.

In his welcoming remarks, Gerd Müller, Director General of UNIDO, emphasized, “UNIDO stands ready to be a platform to build stronger ties and deliver tangible solutions. Only together, with a deep sense of global responsibility, can we solve the problems that affect us all.”

Stephan Klement, Permanent Representative of the EU to UNIDO, noted, “In recognition of UNIDO’s added value, the EU has contributed almost EUR 300 million to 37 ongoing UNIDO projects. The EU and its members are the biggest donors of the Organization, providing more than 37% of all voluntary contributions in 2020. Our joint commitment to inclusive and sustainable industrial development with no one left behind translates into tangible EU-UNIDO cooperation in over 100 countries around the world that creates jobs and reduces poverty.”

Participants exchanged experiences and best practices while identifying priorities for bilateral and multilateral cooperation to drive inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Noting the timeliness and relevance of such an effort, Dominika Krois, Permanent Representative of Poland to UNIDO, highlighted, “This conference is the first of its kind, allowing the countries in the region to increase their contribution to UNIDO’s industrial development efforts. It is crucial to continue reinforcing partnerships for development cooperation in Europe using UNIDO as a catalytic platform.”

UNIDO’s areas of expertise, tools and solutions were shared with a  focus on how to generate impactful partnerships. Key development cooperation priority areas identified included green industry, digital transformation, the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises and job creation. The extensive agenda of the conference also featured examples of established successful and viable cooperation models with other UNIDO’s funding partners, such as Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

Slovenia's established model of cooperation with UNIDO was presented by Janez Rogelj from the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology. It showcased an example of a successful development cooperation approach undertaken by the Member State.

Barbara Žvokelj, Permanent Representative of Slovenia to UNIDO, underlined, “We welcome the initiative of UNIDO to organize this regional conference. I encourage you to use the event for the exchange of information. Establishing a platform for regional dialogue does not only have the potential to result in identifying synergies but also in improving the Organization's efficiency and achieving a greater impact on the ground. And that is something we should all continuously strive for.”

UNIDO’s reform agenda and strategic vision under its new motto “progress by innovation” guided the discussion. Emilia Kraleva, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to UNIDO, said, “I would like to use this opportunity to commend UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller for his efforts to make the Organization fit for purpose via an ambitious reform process. For countries like Bulgaria, it is very important that UNIDO strengthens its position in line with the needs and priorities of like-minded Member States.”

UNIDO and its nine development partners in Europe currently cooperate in diverse thematic areas across different geographical regions. Examples include Slovenia that financially supports UNIDO’s projects in Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cuba, Egypt and Serbia. The UNIDO-Slovenia cooperation focuses on innovation ecosystems and private sector strengthening. In Georgia, funding support from Poland is helping to foster the sustainable energy future of the country and the Czech Republic is helping to increase the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises using UNIDO’s cluster approach. 

Building on the results, success stories and achievements of cooperation between UNIDO and its development partners in Europe, the conference will help with further integration, synergy and scale-up of the ongoing work. It will also spearhead new joint initiatives based on a common strategic vision that recognizes UNIDO as a platform for knowledge and technology transfer, innovation and investments.

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For more information, please contact:

Ms. Solomiya Omelyan

Programme Officer

Regional Coordination Bureau for Europe and Central Asia

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

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