The United Nations Industrial Development Organization held two significant events this month; the pre-launch of the Ministerial Industrial Policy Forum (MIPF) in New York late September, followed by the main gathering in Riyadh on 24 October, 2024.
According to UNIDO Deputy Director General Ciyong Zou, the second edition of MIPF, organized in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, reflects UNIDO’s commitment to accelerating industrial development as a vital pathway toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
MIPF was initiated by UNIDO in 2021 in response to the urgent call for enhanced industrial policy frameworks, with the motto “Making Industrial Policy Work for SDGs”.
Zou says that the forum responds to the pressing need for informed decision-making in industrial development. It aims to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development worldwide, focusing on economic growth, environmental protection, and innovation through initiatives like the Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative and the Ministerial Industrial Policy Forum, fostering collaboration among countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
This year’s agenda concentrated on three critical themes: AI, Digitalization, and Automation in Manufacturing; Energy Transition; and Sustainable and Resilient Supply Chains.
“These themes reflect a tailored approach to addressing complex global challenges and advancing tools for sustainable industrialization,” says Zou.
In Riyadh, the MIPF drew on the success of the 2023 edition, which attracted over 500 participants in a hybrid format. Expanding the forum in 2024 to prioritize in-person engagement, UNIDO designed this year’s MIPF to promote collaborative problem-solving and facilitate informal discussions, providing valuable insights and new networking possibilities for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and experts.
The gathering included key sessions focused on practical industrial policy solutions, positioning UNIDO at the forefront of supporting sustainable development and fostering resilient industrial sectors globally.
According to Zou, there is a an urgent requirement to invest in clean technologies to support decarbonization and energy transitions.
“Decarbonizing industries requires significant investments in clean technologies. Global investments have yet to reach the necessary scale, UNIDO’s Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative exemplifies its commitment to driving sustainable policies by encouraging governments to procure low-emission materials in public construction projects,” says Zou.
MIPF 2024 also underscored Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, with Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources H.E. Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef detailing plans to triple the industrial sector’s GDP contribution by 2030.
“Investments in human capital, advanced infrastructure, and clean energy technologies, will position the Kingdom as a leader in industrial transformation,” says H.E Alkhorayef.
According to Zou, UNIDO’s strategic expertise was instrumental in discussions on digital manufacturing and artificial intelligence, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s goals to cultivate a competitive industrial sector powered by sustainable, high-tech solutions.
“Our commitment to sustainable energy and industrial growth was further underscored at the forum, which included sessions and exhibitions showcasing Saudi Arabia’s industrial advancements and future investment opportunities,” says Zou.
By seeking out partnerships within initiatives such as the MIPF and the IDDI, Zou says that UNIDO is helping shape a future where industrial growth aligns with global sustainability goals, building robust industrial policy frameworks that respond to global demands for sustainable development and inclusive progress.
“Strengthening public-private partnerships is essential to closing the investment gap and achieving sustainable industrial goals”, says Zou.
