LI Yong, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), will visit Japan from 8 to 10 April, 2019 to meet with high-level officials from Japanese government agencies, including MOFA, METI, JETRO, and NEDO, to discuss matters related to the close cooperation between UNIDO and Japan and to emphasize the role of UNIDO in achieving the industry-related goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

UNIDO is a long-standing partner of the Government of Japan, implementing projects with human security as guiding principle, safeguarding the environment through circular economy approaches and the application of newest technologies, and serving as platform for public-private partnerships, enhanced trade, and increased participation of the private sector in development.

To achieve Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9, in Africa and elsewhere, UNIDO promotes public private partnerships. Foreign direct investment and technology transfer by the private sector are key components to realize such partnerships, which UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPO) help achieve. The office in Japan (UNIDO ITPO Tokyo) supports projects of Japanese companies in developing and emerging countries.

[Schedule during visit]
Director General LI Yong will hold events and bilateral meetings with UNIDO partners in Japan, the Japanese private sector,  Japanese public agencies, and Japanese universities to exchange views on UNIDO’s work in developing countries and to coordinate efforts for mutual benefit.

・Monday 8 April: [Workshop (Closed event)] “Exploring future industries with innovation” at the University of Tokyo
・Tuesday 9 April: [UNIDO Seminar] “Industrialization with innovation in Africa” at the United Nations University
・Wednesday 10 April: [Seminar]  “Industrialization, Development, and the SDGs” at the Sophia University                             

[Key messages]
In July 2016, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2016-2025 as the “Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa” (IDDA III) and calls on UNIDO to lead the implementation of the programme for IDDA III. Japan supports UNIDO’s efforts on the operationalization of IDDA III, through financial and technical support.

1. For many years already, UNIDO has been implementing various programmes, projects and initiatives in favor of Africa’s industrialization, and also supports the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) process. Since the very first TICAD conference in 1993, UNIDO has been an active partner/supporter who seeks to foster an effective collaboration between all stakeholders involved. At TICAD7, set to take place in Yokohama in August 2019, UNIDO will promote the participation of the private sector through events co-organized with the African Union and JETRO.
2. UNIDO provides innovative solutions to shape the future of industry such as eco-friendly production, resource-efficiency, and renewable energy. Japan is a world leader in these fields. Digitalization is an important step towards the new industrial revolution. Potentially, Japan and UNIDO could work together to promote innovation and an inclusive new industrial revolution. Innovative approaches are also needed in partnerships to achieve common development objectives, including through the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP).
3. UNIDO promotes foreign direct investment (FDI) and technology transfer from Japan through the activities of its Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO). UNIDO ITPO Tokyo has worked with more than 100 Japanese companies every year and implemented projects in Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda as examples.

[About UNIDO] http://www.unido.org
UNIDO is the only specialized agency of the United Nations mandated to promote industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. It was established in 1966 and is headquartered in Vienna.

Contact (For public): UNIDO ITPO Tokyo e-mail: itpo.tokyo@unido.org / TEL: 03-6433-5520
Contact (For media):PIC Ms. Nakayama e-mail: a.nakayama@unido.org / TEL: 03-6433-5520