Algiers, 7 February 2023 - UNIDO participated in the 9th edition of the Pharma Maghreb Expo 2023, the largest pharmaceutical technology exhibition in Africa under the theme of “Giving Africa Local Pharmaceutical Industry of Quality”, held in Algeria.

Representing UNIDO, Ciyong Zou, UNIDO Managing director of the Directorate of technical cooperation and industrial development highlighted the importance of the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Africa.  He said, “Expanding the geographic diversity of pharmaceutical production, and the shortening of supply chain for essential medical tools not only increases health security of populations in need but also helps reduce the risk of widespread economical social distortions in the future”.

Zou emphasized that UNIDO has been working on the development of the pharmaceutical sector in Africa since the 1960s by providing technical assistance to governments and the private sector. Over the years, the UNIDO collaboration with a diverse range of partners have intensified resulting in the ongoing support to the African Union’s pharmaceutical manufacturing plan for Africa.  Utilizing UNIDO’s technical expertise and knowledge, we are implementing quality infrastructure and market shaping strategies, supporting private sector development, strengthening policy and institutional frameworks promoting investments and technology transfer, capacity and skills development.

Zou further noted that the Pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in the Maghreb region is among the most advanced in the continent and will certainly have a key role to play in enhancing the supply of health products in Africa.   The progress made in this area synergizes with the expansion of cooperation with the United Arab Emirates to scale-up industrial capacity and readiness of the health sector to respond to national and global emergencies

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Alejandro Rivera Rojas, Industrial Development Officer

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