In April, Director General Gerd Müller together with the entire UNIDO Leadership Team hosted a hybrid format Global Town Hall Meeting to inform on current ongoing reform efforts, priorities and objectives. Under the motto of "Progress by Innovation - UNIDO Horizon 2024/2025", the Town Hall allowed UNIDO personnel to engage in an open discussion with the Leadership Team on the way forward for UNIDO's operations for the next biennium.

In his opening remarks, Director General Müller reflected on the many achievements evident in 2023 which form a foundation for the Organization's future. He enumerated successes like the Technical Cooperation (TC) delivery increase of 25%, and the many major new projects and initiatives with partners from all parts of the world. In order to build on this success, Müller announced the upcoming establishment of a new Strategic Directorate in response to the stated needs of Member States and on the recommendation of the External Auditor for UNIDO. The new Directorate will thus give the proper weight and visibility to engagement with UNIDO partners such as the G20 and G7, the BRICS, and in South-South and Triangular Cooperation.

The Director General also renewed his commitment to creating even stronger family-friendly policies, flexible work models, more opportunities for personnel, especially for young talent, as well as more open internal communication and organizational structures within the Organization. "UNIDO - our work and success is based on solid figures, a solid budget, motivated staff and the support of our Member States. Our vision: Progress by Innovation with solutions for the big challenges of today. Together we are successful and work for a better and more just world."

Following the Director General's statement, the Staff Council President Steven Eales presented the results of a recent staff survey, which served to highlight both the progress made in the Organization while also addressing areas and issues still needing attention. He in turn was followed by the Leadership Team, who presented current and future efforts of the individual Directorates:

Enhancing corporate services and operations

In 2024, The Directorate of Corporate Services and Operations’ (COR) strategic direction for enhancing organizational effectiveness focuses on delivering high-quality services and operations support in alignment with UN values. Managing Director Yuko Yasunaga outlined COR’s vision committed to professional excellence, with a strategy emphasizing three key principles: impact, empowerment, and transformation, aiming to again achieve a 25% increase in TC delivery while maintaining high quality standards. COR priorities for 2024 include improving operational efficiencies, implementing new funding models, and leveraging technology to enhance business processes. The commitment extends to adopting a comprehensive approach to risk management, promoting gender equality, and focusing on human resource development to sustain growth and professional excellence.

Additionally, the new Director of Human Resources Services (HRS), Micheal Conneely, introduced the development of a People Strategy for UNIDO. Factors such as integrated talent management, an enabling workplace culture, and a foundation of modernized HR policies and business processes are key ingredients which will enable the Organization's continued success.

Meemi Taalas, the new Director of Financial Services (FIN), prioritized the provision of high-quality financial services, hands-on support to increasing TC delivery, and looking for opportunities for innovation and digitalization in Finance. In support of this, FIN will establish simple mechanisms for full cost recovery and launch new tools and training on financial matters.

Strengthening global engagement and impact

Managing Director Fatou Haidara began by outlining how the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) had realized the ambitious objectives that were set for the Directorate upon its creation in 2022.  In 2024 and 2025 GLO will focus on the implementation of UNIDO's field structure reform and regional strategies, as well as strengthening various partnerships - in particular with the Global Environment Facility, the Green Climate Fund, and the Adaptation Fund, among others. The field structure reform, coupled with the single country programming modality, will offer a coherent framework to efficiently address requests from Member States, including plans of action for the implementation of the regional strategies.  Integrating ITPOs into core UNIDO operations will allow stronger partnerships with the private sector. Ms. Haidara noted that “the field reform, TC implementation, and implementing the regional strategies are ‘a common agenda for UNIDO’. Working together, coherently and coordinated, we can move to strategic programming and be able to offer integrated services to our Member States.

Expanding TC service delivery

Ciyong Zou, Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), emphasized its recent achievements in increased technical cooperation implementation, net approvals and support costs in 2023. In addition, he also stressed how UNIDO’s ranking as implementing agency for the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol was scaled-up and additional commitments for large-scale and small-but-smart projects and programmes were obtained.  Through new mechanisms such as the Global Alliance for Responsible and Green Minerals and the Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum, UNIDO’s role in global agenda setting will be further enhanced. Mr. Zou reiterated that the “TC optimization exercise as well as new funding avenues to be tapped through a cross-Directorate programming mindset will play important roles in achieving UNIDO’s 25% TC increase target.”

Expanding partnerships for TC implementation

Managing Director Gunther Beger emphasized the role of the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET) in achieving progress by innovation within the Organization and for its Member States, through brokering new partnerships and developing innovative flagship initiatives, as well as shaping a new service offer in the Director General’s priority areas. “The IET Directorate is directly in charge of developing innovative services to contribute to ending hunger, creating sustainable supply chains, and limiting climate change. At the same time, IET contributes almost a quarter of UNIDO’s overall technical cooperation delivery. The Directorate's innovative approaches include new initiatives such as the global programme for sustainable supply chains, the investment fund, exploring participation in carbon markets, green hydrogen, and agro-innovation centers. Through our Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions and Public Private Partnerships Divisions, the partnerships we foster support the entire Organization, ultimately scaling up our development impact overall.”

The Global Town Hall was then concluded with a question and answer session.