Nizhniy Novgorod, 16 August 2024 - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) participated in the 8th BRICS Ministers of Industry meeting, which brought together leaders from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russia, South Africa, and UAE, and to discuss the future of industrial cooperation among these influential economies.

During the meeting, Ciyong Zou, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director, UNIDO, delivered a statement on behalf of UNIDO’s Director General Gerd Müller. In his address Zou emphasized, "the BRICS nations represent a powerhouse of industrial potential." He further highlighted UNIDO's strong commitment to enhancing cooperation among these nations to unlock their industrial potential for the benefit of all.

A part of the programme was the 4th meeting of the PartNIR Advisory Group, which focused on strengthening collaboration within the BRICS framework. The discussions centered on accelerating industrial development and improving global competitiveness. A major outcome of this meeting was the agreement to launch the BRICS Centre forIndustrial Competences in cooperation with UNIDO, which was reflected in the Declaration of the BRICS Ministers of Industry The centre is designed to serve as a pivotal hub for the dissemination of knowledge, best practices, and technological advancements, thereby bolstering the industrial sectors within the BRICS nations. The centre will concentrate on critical areas such as innovation, sustainable development, and digital transformation, all of which are essential for driving industrial growth and enhancing competitiveness in the global market. By leveraging the expertise and resources of UNIDO, the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competences aims to foster closer cooperation among its member states, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

UNIDO engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with representatives from Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Russia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. These meetings provided a platform to discuss specific areas of cooperation and strengthen partnerships aimed at fostering industrial growth and sustainability. As part of these meetings, Fernando Elias Rosa Márcio Acting Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services of the Federal Republic of Brazil, extended an invitation to UNIDO to support Brazil's presidency of BRICS in the coming year, which will focus on sustainable industrial development, a priority that aligns closely with UNIDO’s mission and strategic objectives.

Furthermore, UNIDO, in partnership with Kaspersky and under the umbrella of AIM Global, organized a seminar on Industrial Cybersecurity. The seminar, held in a hybrid format, was an integral part of the program of events during the 8th BRICS Ministerial Meeting. It provided a platform for the representatives of BRICS to discuss critical cybersecurity issues and strategies to protect industrial infrastructure in the digital age.

UNIDO looks forward to continuing its collaboration with BRICS and other global partners to build a more inclusive and sustainable industrial future.

For inquiries, please contact:

Aleksei Savrasov

Industrial Development Officer,

Division of Digital Transformation and AI,

email