Japan made an additional contribution of 7.29 million USD to UNIDO projects

The Government of Japan has funded further humanitarian assistance projects to be carried out in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). With approximately 7.29 million USD from Japan’s supplementary budget, a total of ten projects will be implemented in Afghanistan, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Madagascar, Palestine, Tanzania and Yemen.

 
The kick-off ceremony of these projects was held at the Vienna International Center on 19 April 2021, in the presence of Ambassador HIKIHARA Takeshi of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, and Mr. Li Yong, Director-General of UNIDO. Representatives from the recipient countries and region, and the project-managers of UNIDO attended on-line.
 
These projects provide support to those who are struggling to overcome an unprecedented Human Security Crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to help them build back better. Some of the projects aim to contain the spread of COVID-19 through local PPE production and proper medical waste management. Others are designed to increase the resilience of those societies’ economies affected by the global crisis, through job creation, vocational training and reinforcement of industries.

In his speech, Ambassador HIKIHARA emphasized that UNIDO’s mandate is more relevant than ever, since the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is more severe in developing economies. He shared Japan’s expectation that UNIDO will make full use of its potential as a platform for partnership bringing together recipients, donors and their private sectors, and that the transfer of Japanese technologies and private sector know-how will further contribute to the industrialization of recipient societies. He also pointed out the importance of the partnership with UNIDO and recipients in times of hardship, and renewed Japan’s commitment to work together for the stability and prosperity of the international community.

 
Director-General Li Yong pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic was a test to international cooperation and that the recovery from the pandemic offers an opportunity to rebuild better, greener and in a more inclusive way. He expressed his appreciation for Japan’s new contributions, and emphasized that Japan is a key partner for the promotion of ISID. He also shared his expectation that the strong support from Japan will help Member States not only to build back better, but also to “build up better”.
 
In a briefing session at the ceremony, the project-managers of UNIDO introduced the strategy, plans and expected results of the new projects. Representatives from the recipients expressed their appreciation to Japan’s contributions and their hope for the success of the projects.