Kick-off Ceremony for UNIDO Projects funded by Japan Co-organized with UNIDO

On 25 February 2026, the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) jointly held a kick-off ceremony for projects funded by the Government of Japan at the Vienna International Centre (VIC). The ceremony was held in a hybrid format, with participation from ambassadors and UNIDO staff, including project managers.
 
At the opening, UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller emphasized that while hunger continues to increase, development funding is declining, and that industrial development is a crucial means to ensure resilience. He also expressed his gratitude for Japan’s long-standing support. Ambassador Kaifu noted that the six new projects align with UNIDO’s priorities, including ending hunger. He highlighted the project in the Gambia as a symbol of collaboration between UNIDO and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). He also mentioned that the Green Industrial Recovery Project for Ukraine and the Industrial cooperation programme in the Global South will bring participation from Japanese companies in the beneficiary countries. Ambassador Kaifu underscored the importance of ensuring project visibility and positive impact and expressed his commitment to deepening the partnership with UNIDO.
 
Following the opening remarks, UNIDO project managers presented overviews and expected outcomes of the six new projects funded through Japan’s supplementary budget for fiscal year 2025. Additionally, Mr. Yuko Yasunaga, Deputy to the Director General of UNIDO, and Ms. Fumio Adachi, Head of the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) Tokyo, provided updates on the Green Industrial Recovery Project for Ukraine and the Industrial cooperation programme in the Global South, respectively.
 
Ambassadors and officials from Ukraine, South Africa, Thailand, Kenya, The Gambia, Mauritius, and India participated in the ceremony, expressing high appreciation and gratitude for the cooperation between Japan and UNIDO. They noted its significance from various perspectives, including strengthening food security, responding to climate change, technology transfer and skills development, and supporting refugees toward economic self-reliance.
 
Japan is UNIDO’s largest governmental donor and has long contributed to inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Japan will continue to strengthen collaboration with UNIDO and promote initiatives to address global challenges.
 
List of Projects:
・Mauritius: “Plastic circular economy knowledge exchange for Japan-Mauritius business collaboration”.
・Ethiopia: “Agricultural equipment skills development project in Ethiopia”.
・Djibouti: “Enhancing the fisheries value chain in Djibouti for increased food security”.
・The Gambia: “Resilient adaptation through distributed and cold storage in the Republic of The Gambia”.
・Kenya: “Emergency skills development support for livelihood resilience and economic empowerment in refugee-hosting communities in Turkana”.
・Thailand: “Arsenic decontamination through integrated arsenic management in the Northern regions of Thailand”.
 
Related Link:
UNIDO Press Release：https://www.unido.org/news/unido-and-japan-mark-launch-six-new-projects-kick-ceremony-vienna