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The 21st Session of the UNIDO General Conference
27/11/2025
Riyadh
03:11 PM
Local Time
35°C
Weather
PM2.5
Air Quality
27/11/2025
Riyadh
03:11 PM
Local Time
35°C
Weather
PM2.5
Air Quality
To fully capitalize on the potential of the General Conference of UNIDO, its twenty first session will transform into the Global Industry Summit (GIS) 2025, taking place from 23 to 27 November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The General Conference is UNIDO’s supreme policymaking organ, convening all 173 Member States once every two years. The Conference defines the Organization’s guiding principles and policies, approves budgets and work programmes, and elects members of the Industrial Development Board and the Programme and Budget Committee. Every four years, the Conference appoints the Director General of UNIDO. The current President of the General Conference is Her Excellency Ms. Debora Lepre (Italy).
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UNIDO is a specialized United Nations agency with a unique mandate to accelerate sustainable industrial development, supporting developing countries and emerging economies in building and transforming their industries.
Our vision is to build a fair global economy, free from poverty and hunger, with peace and prosperity for all. Sustainable industrial development is a key driver of economic and social progress, creating jobs and income, ending hunger and poverty, reducing inequalities, limiting emissions, preserving ecosystems and protecting the planet for future generations.
Our mission: UNIDO promotes industries for development worldwide and advances all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with its mandate specifically aligned with SDG 9. UNIDO’s work is central to improving living standards and securing our common future.
Our Offer: UNIDO offers technical cooperation, policy advice and norms- and standards-related services. Additionally, UNIDO serves as a global platform for knowledge and technology transfer, fostering partnerships, synergies, innovations, and investments in developing countries. UNIDO works with a wide range of development actors and the private sector.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) was established by Royal Decree No. (A/472) on 29/12/1440H (30/08/2019), marking a strategic shift in Saudi Arabia’s economic direction. Since its founding, the Ministry has overseen all responsibilities related to the industrial and mining sectors, advancing their development in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. The Ministry leads Saudi Arabia’s efforts to build a diversified, sustainable industrial economy. With a mandate to empower local industries and attract global investment, the Ministry plays a key role in advancing the Kingdom’s industrial and mining strategy.
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The Investment and Partnership Day brings together global leaders, investors, innovators and policymakers. It will showcase pioneering initiatives and present cutting-edge digital solutions towards catalyzing action to harness the transformative potential of industries for development. The Investment and Partnership Day will feature high-level panels, fireside chats, and partnership ceremonies that will showcase AI solutions, tailored innovative financing models, including Islamic financing, and cutting-edge technologies in support of resilient supply chains and sustainable agribusiness.
The Investment and Partnership Day brings together global leaders, investors, innovators and policymakers. It will showcase pioneering initiatives and present cutting-edge digital solutions towards catalyzing action to harness the transformative potential of industries for development. The Investment and Partnership Day will feature high-level panels, fireside chats, and partnership ceremonies that will showcase AI solutions, tailored innovative financing models, including Islamic financing, and cutting-edge technologies in support of resilient supply chains and sustainable agribusiness.
The Women’s Empowerment Day convenes global government and business leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers to address structural barriers towards unlocking women’s full potential in industry. Furthermore, it will reinforce institutional commitment, catalyze multi stakeholder collaboration and build momentum for future initiatives, including the establishment of an International Day of Women in Industry. Also aiming at enabling policies to shape women’s roles in industrial transformation, it will showcase practical tools and proven strategies as well as offer access to a worldwide network of likeminded peers and stakeholders.
The Generation Future Day places youth at the forefront of sustainable industrial transformation, thus reflecting UNIDO and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s joint commitment to a green, digital, and inclusive industrial transformation powered by the future generation. It will empower young innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders to come together around strategic pillars including future-ready skills development, entrepreneurship and innovation, decent work, and youth inclusion in policy and governance.
High-level opening ceremony with Heads of State and Government, Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Industry, Economy and Finance, and business leaders. It is expected that over 3,000 delegates will participate and attend the exhibition and the cultural events as well as the evening reception.
09:00 - 16:00
2025-11-23
Opening of the 21st session of the UNIDO General Conference
The Investment and Partnership Day brings together global leaders, investors, innovators and policymakers. It will showcase pioneering initiatives and present cutting-edge digital solutions towards catalyzing action to harness the transformative potential of industries for development. The Investment and Partnership Day will feature high-level panels, fireside chats, and partnership ceremonies that will showcase AI solutions, tailored innovative financing models, including Islamic financing, and cutting-edge technologies in support of resilient supply chains and sustainable agribusiness.
09:00 - 17:00
2025-11-24
Investment and partnership: The future of industrialization - AI as a gamechanger
The Women’s Empowerment Day convenes global government and business leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers to address structural barriers towards unlocking women’s full potential in industry. Furthermore, it will reinforce institutional commitment, catalyze multi- stakeholder collaboration and build momentum for future initiatives, including the establishment of an International Day of Women in Industry. Also aiming at enabling policies to shape women’s roles in industrial transformation, it will showcase practical tools and proven strategies as well as offer access to a worldwide network of likeminded peers and stakeholders.
09:00 - 17:00
2025-11-25
Women's empowerment: Women's role in the future of industry and economy
The Generation Future Day places youth at the forefront of sustainable industrial transformation, thus reflecting UNIDO and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s joint commitment to a green, digital, and inclusive industrial transformation powered by the future generation. It will empower young innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders to come together around strategic pillars including future-ready skills development, entrepreneurship and innovation, decent work, and youth inclusion in policy and governance.
09:00 - 17:00
2025-11-26
Generation future: Inspiration for tomorrow's industry
The high-level closing ceremony will adopt resolutions and related policy decisions including the Riyadh Declaration, which strengthens UNIDO’s mandate towards the future of development for industries.
09:00 - 12:00
2025-11-27
Closing of the 21st session of the UNIDO General Conference
25 November 2025
Riyadh, 24 November 2025 – In parallel with the general debates of the 21st General Conference, the Global Industry Summit focused on ‘Investment and Partnership: The Future of Industrialization – AI as a Gamechanger’ and sector-specific opportunities as the first of three thematic days. Speaking at the inaugural session of the day, UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller emphasized the critical role of innovation and strategic collaboration in driving sustainable industrial development. President of the 21st General Conference Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, also addressed the session, highlighting the need for innovative partnerships and increased investments for lasting impact.
24 November 2025
Riyadh, 23 November 2025 – The 21st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), together with the Global Industry Summit 2025, officially opened today at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh. The General Conference, UNIDO’s supreme policymaking body, brings together all 173 Member States every two years to set the Organization’s strategic direction and review progress on its mandate. The General Conference facilitates high-level dialogue and fosters new cooperation among governments, policymakers, industry leaders, experts, and innovators on the future of sustainable industrialization. The Global Industry Summit, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, features thematic days dedicated to investments and partnerships, the empowerment of women and the role of youth in driving sustainable industrial transformation.
23 November 2025
Riyadh, 23 November 2025 – Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), was appointed today by the General Conference of UNIDO’s 173 Member States for a second term as Director General. Gerd Müller: “I thank the Member States for their confidence and their support in continuing on the path of reform. UNIDO is a bridge between rich and particularly the poorest countries for knowledge-sharing, technology transfer and investment. Our mandate for sustainable industrial development is today more important today – it creates jobs, higher incomes, investments and is a central driver of growth and future opportunities on the ground. I will continue to press for innovation in sustainable industrialization and fair trade, so that all countries can benefit from progress. Digitalization, AI and sustainable business models offer many countries a historic opportunity to leapfrog development stages and move directly into a climate-friendly, modern industrial economy.” Müller also called upon the countries of the G20 to reverse their drastic cuts to development cooperation and humanitarian assistance budgets. He warned that reductions of up to 40 per cent — for example at the World Food Programme or UNHCR — could risks the lives of millions worldwide .
25 November 2025
Riyadh, 24 November 2025 – In parallel with the general debates of the 21st General Conference, the Global Industry Summit focused on ‘Investment and Partnership: The Future of Industrialization – AI as a Gamechanger’ and sector-specific opportunities as the first of three thematic days. Speaking at the inaugural session of the day, UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller emphasized the critical role of innovation and strategic collaboration in driving sustainable industrial development. President of the 21st General Conference Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, also addressed the session, highlighting the need for innovative partnerships and increased investments for lasting impact.
24 November 2025
Riyadh, 23 November 2025 – The 21st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), together with the Global Industry Summit 2025, officially opened today at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center in Riyadh. The General Conference, UNIDO’s supreme policymaking body, brings together all 173 Member States every two years to set the Organization’s strategic direction and review progress on its mandate. The General Conference facilitates high-level dialogue and fosters new cooperation among governments, policymakers, industry leaders, experts, and innovators on the future of sustainable industrialization. The Global Industry Summit, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, features thematic days dedicated to investments and partnerships, the empowerment of women and the role of youth in driving sustainable industrial transformation.
23 November 2025
Riyadh, 23 November 2025 – Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), was appointed today by the General Conference of UNIDO’s 173 Member States for a second term as Director General. Gerd Müller: “I thank the Member States for their confidence and their support in continuing on the path of reform. UNIDO is a bridge between rich and particularly the poorest countries for knowledge-sharing, technology transfer and investment. Our mandate for sustainable industrial development is today more important today – it creates jobs, higher incomes, investments and is a central driver of growth and future opportunities on the ground. I will continue to press for innovation in sustainable industrialization and fair trade, so that all countries can benefit from progress. Digitalization, AI and sustainable business models offer many countries a historic opportunity to leapfrog development stages and move directly into a climate-friendly, modern industrial economy.” Müller also called upon the countries of the G20 to reverse their drastic cuts to development cooperation and humanitarian assistance budgets. He warned that reductions of up to 40 per cent — for example at the World Food Programme or UNHCR — could risks the lives of millions worldwide .
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