The 21st session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General Conference (GC21) has wrapped up in Riyadh with the issuance of the historic ‘Riyadh Declaration’, marking a significant step forward for strengthened global cooperation in the upcoming years.
The Riyadh Declaration outlines a unified global vision for sustainable and inclusive industrial development and reflecting Saudi Arabia’s pioneering role and leadership in the international industrial agenda.
The GC21 event held under the title ‘Global Industry Summit’, was hosted by the Kingdom from November 23 to 27.
The conference has brought together ministers, decision-makers, representatives of international organizations, and industry leaders from around the world. Over the course of a productive week, the summit witnessed extensive discussions and decisions shaping the future of the global industry.
Participants commended the outstanding organization of GC21 by Saudi Arabia and its success in aligning its outcomes with global industrial development priorities and the rapid changes shaping the industrial transformation landscape. The event further highlighted its growing influence and commitment to driving forward a resilient and innovation-focused industrial future.
The unanimous agreement of the Riyadh Declaration by all member states constituted the most significant achievement of the final day. The Riyadh Declaration focuses on strengthening international industrial cooperation and harnessing innovation, technology, and industrial modernization to address global challenges.
Image credits: SPA | Cropped by GBN
A main outcome of the conference included the designation of April 21 of every year as the International Day of Women in Industry, stressing the pivotal role women play in shaping the future of industrial sectors. The GC21 conference called for hike in women’s participation across various industrial fields, expanding their leadership pathways, and promoting equitable social and diversity policies, and elevating international recognition of women’s contributions.
HE Bandar Alkhorayef Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Saudi Arabia
“The spirit of partnership and cooperation was present in every discussion, negotiation, and decision, and it characterized the work of the conference from beginning to end. It also highlighted what the international community can achieve when it acts as a single partner. The visions and ideas presented during the summit were inspiring, the negotiations were serious and constructive, and the conference’s recommendations reflected the determination of member states to accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development”.
The Minister of Industry described the Riyadh Declaration as an embodiment of the collective ambition of the participating countries and a guiding framework to help nations navigate current challenges and seize future opportunities. He voiced confidence that the momentum initiated in Riyadh will translate into tangible results worldwide.
HE Alkhorayef affirmed the role of women, noting that a sustainable industrial future is impossible without the full their participation, whose ideas, leadership, and innovation are vital to a more competitive and inclusive global economy. He noted that GC21 underscored on empowering women in industry is not only a social priority but an economic necessity for driving growth and sustainability.
