UN Summit in Riyadh – Can industrial growth and climate action go hand in hand?

As the world struggles to confront climate change, economic inequality, and rapid technological transformations, the UN Global Industry Summit – taking place next week in the Saudi capital, Riyadh – will address these questions, bringing together governments, business leaders and innovators to formulate solutions that balance prosperity and sustainability.

More than 3,000 participants from more than 150 countries, including government officials, business leaders, and innovators, will gather from November 23 to 27, to discuss and exchange ideas, initiatives and experiences on how to accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

Organized by UNIDO, the United Nations industrial development agency, the summit is the latest biennial meeting of the UNIDO General Conference, the organization’s supreme policy-making body, which sets its guidelines, approves budgets and work programs, and elects members of its governing bodies. Every four years, the Conference also appoints the Director-General of the Organization, a position currently held by Mr. Gerd Müller.

UNIDO and job creation

The conference represents an opportunity for member states to present their distinguished projects and initiatives in the field of industrial transformation. It also represents an opportunity to highlight the role of UNIDO and its efforts in improving people’s lives.

An example is the Durres region in Namibia, which hopes to demonstrate that economies can create successful jobs for the many, not just the few, without the need for fossil fuels.

When completed, the Durres Green Hydrogen Village will produce hydrogen and ammonia sustainably from renewable sources, which will be used to make the country’s first carbon-neutral green fertiliser, reducing the need for imports.

The project is designed to benefit the entire community, with training in horticulture and crop production, and a solar-powered tomato paste processing plant to enhance the value of local fresh produce and create more local employment opportunities. More than 1,000 people are expected to benefit from sustainable employment and food security.

The Doris Green Hydrogen Village is an example of the ways in which UNIDO – the project’s main sponsor – is working with countries of the Global South to achieve inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

UNIDO’s role in transformation

The Dauris Green Hydrogen Village is just one example of how the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is working with countries of the Global South to achieve inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

Countries as diverse as Costa Rica and Morocco benefit from UNIDO’s Global Hydrogen in Industry programme, which helps overcome barriers and develop a fair and sustainable economy with green hydrogen at its core.

A platform for transformation

Since its establishment in 1966, UNIDO has supported inclusive and sustainable industrial development as a cornerstone of economic and social progress.

At the industrial summit scheduled for next week, the UN agency will have the opportunity to present how to achieve its mission of supporting developing countries and emerging economies in building and transforming their industries.

The summit, hosted by the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre, includes three days of thematic forums on critical issues:

⬅️Investment and Partnerships Day – highlights international cooperation and artificial intelligence as drivers of industrial transformation.

⬅️Women’s Empowerment Day – showcases women’s leadership in shaping the future of the industry.

⬅️Youth and Young Talents Day – focuses on creativity and entrepreneurship for the next generation.

Other important topics covered at the summit will include decarbonisation, digitalisation, food security and inclusive growth.

Why is this important?

As the countdown to the Riyadh Summit begins, expectations are rising for bold commitments and partnerships that can drive a just global economy based on sustainability, equality, and shared prosperity.

The conference will also address gender equality and women’s empowerment, the role of UNIDO in the reformed United Nations development system, as well as discussions on financing and digital platforms for monitoring results.