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20th General Conference
- Industrial Innovation Forum
- Driving a just hydrogen transition: Key enablers for clean hydrogen uptake and de-risking of investments
- Making gender equality a lived reality in industry
- Accelerating the green transition: Critical minerals, metals production and a fair future for all
- Industrialization in middle-income countries: A driving force for sustainable development
- Building resilient supply chains for the energy transition
- Industrial policy for a fair globalization: Insights from the Industrial Development Report 2024
- AIM Global: Inclusive AI – bridging the digital divide in industry and manufacturing
Overview
The event will facilitate a dialogue among representatives of middle-income countries (MICs) on the main challenges and vulnerabilities faced by MICs to ensure inclusive and sustainable development through the structural change of their economies.
It will build on the outcomes of the side event jointly organized by UNIDO and the Like-Minded Group for Middle-Income Countries on the occasion of the in-depth review of Sustainable Development Goal 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) during the 2023 high-level political forum in New York.
The event will also build on the momentum of the recent global discussions on development cooperation with MICs on the occasion of the SDG Summit, as well as the Eighth Ministerial Meeting of the Like-Minded Group for Middle-Income Countries held on the margins of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The event is part of UNIDO’s continuous engagement with MICs, and in line with its strategic framework and action plan.
Discussion Points
- What are the main challenges and gaps faced by MICs in advancing sustainable industrialization?
- What are examples of effective national policies, initiatives and practices in MICs that advance industrialization?
- How can MICs address short-term vulnerabilities and underpin their long-term inclusive and sustainable development?
- How can MICs tap into the financial means and investments needed for the structural transformation of their economies?
- How to overcome the limitations of traditional measurements of MIC performance, and go beyond GDP-type of indicators, such as levels of industrialization, and propose new approaches for measuring progress towards sustainable development?
- What are some best practices in MICs’ inter-regional cooperation and South-South and triangular cooperation?
- How can UNIDO’s expertise further assist MICs in accelerating industrialization as an engine of inclusive and sustainable development?
Objective
The event will provide a platform for high-level representatives of MICs, which constitute the largest share of UNIDO Member States, to discuss gaps hindering progress and to exchange experiences on innovative solutions for sustainable industrial development.
Related Documents
Speakers
H.E. Ms. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria
Ms. Doris Uzoka-Anite is Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. She previously served as the Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy in her home state, Imo State, and Group Treasurer of Zenith Bank Plc, the largest bank in Sub-Saharan Africa. She began her professional career as a medical officer.
H.E. Ms. Ana María Choquehuanca, Minister of Production, Peru
Ms. Ana Maria Choquehuanca is the Minister of Production of Peru. She previously served as Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations and as Congresswoman, among other positions during her 20 years of experience in the public sector. Ms. Choquehuanca is also an entrepreneur and a prominent trade union leader representing small and medium-sized enterprises in Peru.
H.E. Mr. Alexandre Dias Monteiro, Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy of Cabo Verde
Mr. Alexandre Dias Monteiro is Cabo Verde’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy. Previously, he served as Secretary of State for Tourism, Industry and Trade, and as Board Member of the Society for Tourist Development of the Islands of Boa Vista and Maio. He was also President of the Institute for Business Development and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Electra (national energy company).
H.E. Ms. Anila Denaj, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Albania
Ms. Anila Denaj is Albania’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. She has extensive work experience in the private banking sectors, as well as the public sector. Her 28-year career also includes considerable time in international consultancy. Previously, Ms. Denaj held the post of Minister of Finance and Economy. She also served as Deputy Head of the Albanian Agribusiness Support Team. Prior to this, she worked as an external expert for the Rural Credit Guarantee Foundation, which was supported by the KFW Development Bank.
H.E. Mr. George Bouchikian, Minister of Industry, Lebanon
Mr. George Bouchikian is the Minister of Industry of Lebanon. Prior to this, he held leadership positions in strategic product marketing and the global management operations of private sector companies. He served as Chief Executive Officer of several companies in the medical and laboratory field, such as Technoline SAL and Biodiamond Middle East SAL, as well as in the fields of engineering with Space Meter SAL and food manufacturing with Al Ajdad SAL, among others.
Mr. Walter Verri, Vice-Minister for Industry, Energy and Mining, Uruguay
Mr. Walter Verri is Deputy Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining of Uruguay since 2020. Prior to his current position, he was National Deputy from Paysandú at the Parliament of Uruguay for “Partido Colorado”, elected for periods 2010-2015 and 2015-2020. Previously he served as Member of the Industry, Energy and Mining Commission of the Uruguayan Parliament, and Member of the Multiparty Commission for the regulation of large-scale mining activity.