The Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) participated in the Second UNIDO Forum on Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development at UNIDO’s headquarters in Vienna on the 4th and 5th of November 2014. The forum tackled efficient means, strategies and tools to strengthen partnerships between the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and member states to achieve inclusive and sustainable industrial development, with emphasis on developing countries.

Mr. Mohammed Bin Khamis Al-Mukhaini, GOIC Assistant Secretary General for Industrial Information and Studies, represented GOIC at the forum. Mr. Al-Mukhaini met with UNIDO Director General Mr. Li Yong to discuss means of mutual cooperation between the two organisations to promote industrial development in GCC countries.

 

HE Mr. Al-Mukhaini attended panel discussions along with nearly 440 participants from 93 UNIDO member states, including 158 representatives of UN delegations, 79 private sector representatives, 115 public sector delegates, 23 representatives of several international non-governmental

 

organisations (NGOs) and 21 banking sector experts.

Participants discussed partnership between the UNIDO and beneficiary governments, development finance institutions (DFIs), development agencies, private sector and donors to boost investments in developing countries. They studied UNIDO’s partnership program through two model case studies from Ethiopia and Senegal. In addition, participants discussed means to cooperate with innovative businesses to establish partnerships aiming at increasing investments and their effects in members states. They also agreed to carry on with sustainable development efforts through Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) in 2015 and beyond.

 

UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon had inaugurated the forum with a speech in which he highlighted the importance of partnerships to expand the scope of investments in industrial sustainable development. He stressed the importance that the UN and its partners give to sustainable development in finding solutions to crises, including poverty and environmental degradation.

In fact, the industrial sector is today one of the main pillars of the solution to several crises, notably poverty and environmental degradation.

 

Mr. Ban Ki-Moon opined that the key factor to guarantee the future of our planet is sustainable industrial development. He added that UNIDO endeavours to offer a vision for an equal world, where there is no exploitation of resources to achieve short-term profits. It encourages correct and aware use of resources for the better of humanity. UN Secretary General reiterated that sustainable development helps in providing job opportunities for the youth, discovering innovative green technologies and promoting responsible corporate practices.

 

According to Mr. Ban, the youth play a major role in the progress of their countries. They are capable of being pioneers in the world of modern industries. He also shed light on the dangers of unemployment, for the youth become subjected to extreme ideologies, drug addiction and crimes, and in today’s world, the number of young job seekers is increasing.

 

Later, Mr. Li Yong, UNIDO Director General gave a speech in which he said that the organization will spare no effort to support member states in their efforts to boost their production capacities. UNIDO is working on strengthening the partnership between the Organization and these countries and offering scientific advisory services and knowledge. UNIDO also cooperates with governments of member states to put together policies and strategies aiming at achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial development in these countries. Mr. Yong said this second UNIDO forum is an international platform for exchanging best practices in inclusive and sustainable industrial development strategies. It aims at shedding light on the best tools and methods to implement economic policies and launching a strategic dialogue between member states. Such discussions are very valuable to these states, mainly developing countries; they provide these countries with international expertise and regional knowledge in executing industrial projects and stimulating manpower. These states are to compete at the international level and develop their trade environment to attract foreign investments, hence achieving desired development. 

 

Economic and industrial experts from public and private sectors discussed means to strengthen inclusive and sustainable industrial development strategies and policies during four main sessions. Some of them have talked about their countries’ experiences and the lessons they learned during their endeavours to achieve sought-after wellbeing in their countries. Moreover, the forum shed light on two models of fruitful cooperation with the UNIDO: case studies of Ethiopia and Senegal, two pioneering experiences which can be built upon and expanded according to the specificities of other countries.