A new international recognition of Saudi Arabia's position as an engine of economic growth .. Global consensus on the kingdom's hosting of the UNIDO conference
The kingdom of Saudi Arabia won the hosting of the twenty-first session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which will be held in Riyadh during November 2025, after the adoption of a unanimous decision by the 172 member states of the organization.
The kingdom was chosen to host this event during the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization" UNIDO " at its 20th session, held in the Austrian capital Vienna, with the participation of an official delegation from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia headed by the minister of industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim al-khorayef, a number of representatives of government agencies and the Permanent Delegation of the kingdom in Vienna.
On this occasion, the minister of industry and Mineral Resources thanked the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their support to the ministry's work to fulfill its roles and achieve its goals in accordance with the aspirations of the kingdom's Vision 2030.
He praised the tireless diplomatic efforts to mobilize the support of the OIC member states, which were carried out by the Permanent Delegation in Vienna, led by Ambassador and Permanent Representative Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid Tawila, through holding intensive meetings and consultations with a number of delegations of countries and heads of regional groups, which resulted in the consensus of the member states.
"The kingdom's victory in hosting the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at its 21st session is an international recognition of the kingdom's position as an engine of economic growth and industrialization in the region, and confirmation of its commitment to promote industrial development around the world, "he said, stressing that the kingdom will work to make this conference an exceptional and successful event on various scales.
He pointed out that the holding of this conference in the kingdom is an opportunity to highlight the kingdom's leading role as a regional leader of basic and transformational industries, due to its advanced industrial systems and strong regulatory and legislative capabilities, which qualify it to lead the contribution to the development of the industrial development system in the Middle East and internationally, stressing that the kingdom's victory in this event reflects its political and economic weight on the international arena, which was finally represented by winning the hosting of the International Expo 2030.
He stressed that the kingdom's hosting of this important event will provide an opportunity to participate in expanding the talks on the future of global industry, strengthen the kingdom's position as a manufacturing and Technology Center in the region, in addition to introducing the industrial Kingdom's trends within the plans of the national strategy for industry, and highlighting the initiatives and measures provided by the kingdom to ensure sustainable growth in the industrial sector as one of the important strategic sectors in the map of economic diversification in accordance with the goals of Vision 2030.
It is worth mentioning that the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is an international organization founded in 1966; it aims to promote industrial development in member countries, support small and medium-sized industries, and promote international cooperation in the field of industrial development.UNIDO provides support to its member states through four functions assigned to IT: technical cooperation, action-oriented research and policy advisory services, activities related to normative standards, and promoting partnerships for the transfer of knowledge and technology.
It is expected that more than ١٥٠٠ including representatives of UNIDO member states, as well as representatives of international organizations and the private sector, will participate in the general conference scheduled to be held in Riyadh during November 2025.