Abu Dhabi has been selected to host the 2019 United Nations Industrial Development Organisation's (UNIDO) General Conference, its top policymaking body that convenes every two years.
The emirate was chosen following a vote by the 53 member states of the Industrial Development Bank at their 46th annual meeting in Vienna. This is the first time UNIDO’s General Conference will be held in the Middle East. The organisation has held the conference outside its headquarters in Vienna only three times in its history: in Bangkok 1987; Cameroon in 1993; and Lima in 2013.
"Selecting Abu Dhabi to host the 18th UNIDO General Conference reflects the international recognition of the UAE’s significant role in supporting the global industrial sector to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation. “The UAE remains a pioneer in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and continues to bridge and connect civilisations between the East and West. Through its partnership with UNIDO in the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit, the UAE is well-positioned to play a strategic role in shaping the future of the global manufacturing sector.”
The General Conference is set to be held at the end of 2019 and will be preceded by UNIDO’s Least Developed Countries Ministerial Conference. UNIDO and the UAE serve as co-chairs for the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit.
“We highly appreciate the generous offer of the Government of the United Arab Emirates to host the 18th session of the UNIDO General Conference in Abu Dhabi,” said UNIDO director general LI Yong. “I look forward to further strengthening our ties, especially since UNIDO and the United Arab Emirates share the commitment to take a transformational approach towards shaping the future of manufacturing and jointly co-chair the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit.”
UNIDO is the specialised agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalisation and environmental sustainability. As of May 17, 2018, UNIDO had 168 Member States, including Brazil, Germany, Russia and Japan.
“Clearly, spreading global prosperity is deeply instilled into our belief system, and unlocking the potential of the manufacturing sector will support our efforts; it has always been a key contributor to social and economic welfare, and is instrumental to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy & Industry.
