Consultations between representatives of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Russian Federation have focused on the key results of projects funded by the country’s voluntary contributions to UNIDO’s Industrial Development Fund (IDF).

The two parties reviewed the progress of projects in Armenia, Cuba, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, as well as some regional and global initiatives.

A project on industrial upgrading and the modernization of carpet-weaving, embroidery and traditional textile sectors in Tajikistan has generated value added by establishing three training and service centres and building capacity of more than 550 women and men on the production cycle, personnel management, financial management and marketing. It also created hundreds of new jobs in modernized enterprises producing carpets and home textiles.

Another project on technological and enterprise upgrading of the agro-chemical and agriculture machinery production sector in Cuba has helped supply fertilizers and agricultural machinery of enhanced quality to the country’s agricultural sector, and significantly increased the competitiveness of the country’s priority industries.

In the framework of UNIDO’s flagship initiative – the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) – the Russian Federation has provided financial support for the development of a PCP in the Kyrgyz Republic. To ensure its long-lasting impact, UNIDO also coordinated the formulation of the country’s Strategy for Sustainable Industrial Development for five years and its complementary Action Plan, which the Government adopted in 2019.

In 2019, UNIDO initiated the pilot development of an e-learning training course, “Digital Business Innovations for Women Entrepreneurs and Managers”, which will help women strengthen their business management skills when it comes to widespread digitalization and development of innovative approaches to business activity. This is part of a UNIDO project funded by the Government of the Russian Federation to upscale and raise awareness on the advancement of the women’s economic empowerment agenda in the region of Europe and Central Asia.

Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna Ambassador Mikhail Ulyanov reiterated Russia’s commitment to technical cooperation activities promoting sustainable industrialization around the globe.

“The Russian Federation stands ready to further support the important work conducted in partnership with UNIDO in diverse regions and thematic priorities,” Ulyanov said. “We will continue pursuing our joint effort to promote economic growth and development. Our vision is that UNIDO’s mandate and capacity with support of its Member States and the donor community can bring a change and contribute greatly to the implementation of the Agenda 2030 and its SDGs.”

UNIDO’s Managing Director Philippe Scholtès emphasized that UNIDO attaches great importance to cooperation with the Russian Federation as a reliable partner and one of the Organization’s major donors.

“The support provided by the Russian Federation has helped UNIDO spearhead a wide range of impactful projects and programmes in various Member States to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development across the regions,” Scholtès said. “Holding annual technical consultations is a key to ensuring multi-stakeholder coordination, complementarity of efforts, transparency and accountability.”

For more information, please contact:

Solomiya Omelyan

Programme Officer

UNIDO Regional Division for Europe and Central Asia