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The Group of 77 and China are firmly committed to a decisive transformation toward sustainable development and to supporting the momentum of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), stated Azzeddine Farhane, Morocco’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the international organizations in Vienna, on Saturday in Riyadh.
Speaking on behalf of the grouping – which brings together countries from Africa, Latin America, and Asia (134 UN member states)- at the 11th Ministerial Conference of the LDCs, held under the theme “Promoting Inclusive Industrialization: Investment, Innovation and Partnerships in LDCs”, Farhane stressed that the Group stands ready to deepen its cooperation with UNIDO and all partners so that the coming decade becomes an irreversible turning point toward sustainable development and higher levels of progress in LDCs.
In the presence of UNIDO Director-General Gerd Müller, the President of the OPEC Fund for International Development, Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, as well as ministers and ambassadors from G77 countries accredited to the Organization, the Moroccan diplomat underlined that this meeting marks a crucial stage in assessing progress made under the Doha Programme of Action and renewing the collective commitment to sustainable and inclusive development for LDCs over the next decade.
Farhane highlighted UNIDO’s sustained commitment, as reflected in its 2022-2031 operational strategy in favor of LDCs, noting that the Group has taken due note of the comprehensive implementation plan and looks forward to its adoption to accelerate the translation of shared ambitions into concrete action.
The diplomat also expressed the Group’s appreciation for UNIDO’s tangible contributions across the six priority areas of the Doha Programme of Action, notably welcoming the 45 active projects dedicated to skills development, youth empowerment, and job creation, while calling for the expansion of these initiatives- particularly in digital literacy and training adapted to the green and digital economies.
He further highlighted the 60 projects related to science, technology, and innovation that support clean technologies and climate adaptation tools, recommending strengthened support for LDC access to Industry 4.0 technologies, technology transfer, and the development of South-South and triangular cooperation.
On structural transformation, Farhane recalled UNIDO’s key role through 64 projects contributing to economic diversification, particularly in agro-industrial value chains, urging increased investments in agro-industrialization and the development of stronger, more competitive regional value chains.
Organized in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, this event is a major global forum dedicated to the industrial development of Least Developed Countries. The conference takes place on the eve of the opening of the World Industry Summit, an opportunity for member states to present their industrial transformation initiatives and highlight UNIDO’s role in improving living conditions worldwide.
Source: map
