Uganda has been elected to the Industrial Development Board (IDB) of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) for the period 2025 to 2027.
The UNIDO is a specialised agency of the UN that promotes sustainable industrial development to reduce poverty and foster inclusive globalisation. Uganda’s election was confirmed at the 21st UNIDO General Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last week.
The country’s delegation to the General Conference was led by Mr Isaac Sebulime, Uganda’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and comprised of officials from the Uganda Permanent Mission in Vienna and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
During the general conference, Nature Bio Foods, an Indian Company with operations in Uganda, was announced winner of the UNIDO One World Sustainability Awards under the sustainable supply chains category.
The company opened a processing plant in Uganda in 2023 and is currently working with 16,000 farmers involved in the production of soybean, sorghum, chia seeds and sesame seeds.
About UNIDO, IDB
The UNIDO was established in 1966, became a specialised agency of the UN in 1985, and has its headquatres in Vienna, Austria. As of October 2024, it operates in over 60 countries with 173 member states. Its primary mission is to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial development, particularly in developing countries and economies in transition.
The 53-member IDB is responsible for reviewing and implementing the work programme, regular and operational budgets, and making recommendations to the General Conference on policy matters, including the appointment of the Director General.