Saudi Arabia has announced that it will host the 21st General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Riyadh from November 23 to 27, 2025. The announcement was made during a promotional event organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, in cooperation with UNIDO, on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the Industrial Development Board (IDB) in Vienna.
The event was attended by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah K. Tawlah, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Vienna, along with representatives from several Member States and prominent industry leaders.
The event brought together officials and representatives from member states and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s preparations for the conference. It also featured presentations on national initiatives and industrial development projects from a range of Saudi entities, including the Ministry of Media (Konooz Initiative), the Ministry of Investment (Invest Saudi), the Saudi Fund for Development, the Saudi Tourism Authority (Spirit of Saudi), and the Saudi Export Development Authority.
In his remarks during the event, His Excellency Eng. Khalil bin Ibrahim bin Salamah, Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Affairs, emphasized that hosting the conference reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing multilateral cooperation in industrial development. He also noted Saudi Arabia's efforts to support sustainable manufacturing, innovation, and technological transformation.
The Director General of UNIDO, Gerd Müller, stated: “The 21st UNIDO General Conference in Riyadh will be a leading forum for the future of industries for development. We are bringing together governments, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations to forge new partnerships. Private sector engagement is especially important, there is the knowledge, technology, and financial resources we need to support industrialization in developing countries. I am grateful to the Government of Saudi Arabia for hosting this important summit and for setting a powerful example of sustainable industrialization through its Vision 2030.”
The UNIDO General Conference is a key international gathering that brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts from around the world to address pressing issues such as sustainable industrialization, digital transformation, green industry, and the circular economy. It also aims to enhance development cooperation with least developed and middle-income countries.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the conference aligns with its national vision to position itself as a leading regional industrial hub. It also highlights the Kingdom’s broader strategy to develop a competitive and sustainable industrial sector as a cornerstone of its Vision 2030 economic diversification agenda.
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