UNIDO hosts 14th general conference
VIENNA, November 27, 2011 – Heads of States, senior government officials, ministers, representatives of many international organizations as well as high-level officials from the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States will assemble tomorrow at UNIDO headquarters in Vienna, Austria to attend UNIDO’s fourteenth General Conference.
The five-day event (November 28 – December 2) is UNIDO’s highest policymaking organ and is made up of all 174 Member States and meets once every two years. It determines the guiding principles and policies of the organization and approves the budget and work programme of UNIDO and elects members of the Industrial Development Board. The General Conference is also charged with appointing the Director-General every four years. The current Director-General, Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella (Sierra Leone), assumed office in December 2005 and was re-appointed to a second term in 2009.
The overarching theme of this year’s conference will focus on “The new industrial revolution: making it sustainable” – underscoring that inclusive and sustainable industrial development strategies are of critical importance to reconcile the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social.
UNIDO Director General, Kandeh Yumkella
Invited Heads of State will deliver keynote addresses and an interactive debate on making the new industrial revolution sustainable which will be moderated by Zeinab Badawi of the BBC. Panelists in the discussion will include Irene Giner-Reichl, Director-General for development cooperation, Austrian Foreign Ministry; Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment; Jeremy Rifkin, president of the Foundation on Economic Trends; Ms. Bah, minister of industry and SMEs of Guinea; Mayi Antillon Guerrero, minister for economy, industry and trade of Costa Rica; Rezaul Hasanat, chairman and CEO of the Viyellatex Group, India; and Dov Zerah, Director-General of the French Development Agency.
The Africa Round Table will focus on Economic Diversification Strategies – a key driver in Africa’s Industrial revolution as it holds the key for reducing the vulnerability of African economies as well as helpto protect the continent from external shocks.
Anthony Abdul Karim Kamara, Jr, on assignment in Vienna
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