German Ambassador Bohn,  UNIDO Director General Müller,  and Oleksandr Oborskyi, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine

Vienna, 31 October 2024 – The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany is providing an additional €2.4 million to support the project “Green industrial recovery through municipality-based development in Ukraine” within the framework of the UNIDO-Ukraine green industrial recovery programme 2024-2028.

A signing ceremony to conclude the funding arrangement for this contribution was held in Vienna today, attended among others by UNIDO’s Director General, Gerd Müller, the Permanent Representative of Germany to UNIDO, Rüdiger Rainer Bohn, and Oleksandr Oborskyi of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to UNIDO.

During the signing ceremony, German Ambassador Bohn said, “Municipalities in Ukraine have faced the direct impact of war and destruction, but they also hold the keys to recovery. By working at the local level, we empower municipalities to take the lead in shaping their own futures. This project will provide critical support to local governments, equipping them with the skills and resources needed to drive green industrial growth.”

Jointly undertaken by the Government of Ukraine and UNIDO, the green industrial recovery programme 2024-2028 supports the development of a resilient, green and sustainable industry in Ukraine. It focuses on creating opportunities for people, supporting businesses and attracting investment, as well as fostering a green economy. Through close cooperation with development and funding partners, including Germany, UNIDO delivers impact across all thematic areas of its work through a strategic approach and an integrated portfolio of technical cooperation activities.

Director General Müller noted that “This project is another milestone in UNIDO’s and Germany’s efforts to drive sustainable industrialization and to support the people of Ukraine in these challenging times. UNIDO stands ready to join forces with our partners and provide the assistance Ukraine needs for a green industrial recovery.”

The activities under the new project will capitalize on the results of the first phase of the cross-sectoral BMZ-UNIDO project, which allowed for the establishment of a holistic analytical and capacity framework for the Organization’s operations in Ukraine. Within this cooperation, UNIDO conducted a comprehensive industrial diagnostic study for Ukraine, mapped the use of artificial intelligence in key industries, developed a National Guiding Framework of Standards and Technical Regulations for the Green Reconstruction of Ukraine and utilized the strategic foresight approach to inform the transition towards circular economy.

The new project will strengthen the capacity of public sector and government institutions at the national and municipal levels to facilitate a green industrial recovery. Supported by the deployment of regional development coordinators, this initiative focuses on empowering Ukraine’s municipalities as drivers of sustainable development and inclusive growth.

The project will also partner with the United Nations Environment Programme to foster new joint initiatives for sustainable development of the Carpathian region in the framework of a joint declaration between UNIDO and the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention concluded in 2023.

Oleksandr Oborskyi, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to UNIDO concluded, “Facing a harsh reality with resilience, our people, entrepreneurs, captains of industries aspire peace and fast recovery. We are grateful to Germany for committing as a key donor of the project and UNIDO for its active and consistent operations in Ukraine, implementing a wide portfolio of projects, including the one signed today, ranging from transfer of cutting-edge technologies and improving environmental performance of Ukrainian businesses to the empowerment of women and youth and job creation.”