Relevance of UNIDO Will Continue to Grow as World Advances towards Sustainable Development Goals, Secretary-General Tells Fiftieth Anniversary Event

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) fiftieth anniversary celebration, in Vienna today:

Director-General Li Yong, excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

Congratulations on UNIDO’s fiftieth anniversary.  Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development is a key element of the 2030 Agenda.  UNIDO has an important role to play.

I commend your programmes that target entrepreneurship and business development, promote energy and resource efficiency, and help improve market access and job creation.  These are among a number of successful examples of how UNIDO is contributing to the pledge to leave no one behind.

UNIDO has a long track record of innovation.  UNIDO’s women entrepreneurship programmes began decades ago.  And UNIDO was one of the first UN entities to engage with the private sector.

By promoting broad multistakeholder partnerships, UNIDO is working to maximize its impact.  And by supporting developing countries to benefit from the next industrial revolution you are helping drive the transformation the world needs.  As the world advances towards the Sustainable Development Goals, UNIDO’s relevance will continue to grow.

I wish UNIDO and its partners every success as the world works for a future of peace, prosperity, dignity and opportunity for all.