Statement by H.E. Ambassador KAIFU Atsushi, Permanent Representative of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, at the 52nd Session of the Industrial Development Board of UNIDO
2024/11/25

[Agenda Item 3: Annual Report of the Director General for 2023]
Madam President,
I would like to congratulate your Excellency Ms. Gabriela Sellner, Ambassador of Austria, on your election as the President of the Industrial Development Board and assure you of our full support. I thank the outgoing President, His Excellency Mr. Magdi Ahmed Mofadal Elnour, Ambassador of Sudan, and other Bureau members for their dedicated work.
I would also like to join others in commending the tireless work of the secretariat under the strong leadership of DG Müller, and would like to positively recognize with appreciation the statement regarding his intention for reappointment.
(UNIDO’s work: UNIDO’s top priorities)
Madam President,
The international community is facing a series of deepening crises that have hampered global economic and social development. Japan is ready to collaborate with UNIDO to address these challenges in line with UNIDO’s top priorities: food security, sustainable supply chains and climate actions.
We believe that UNIDO’s role in enhancing food security is pivotal and we commend the successful organization of the World Without Hunger Conference with the participation of Japanese companies. Japan and UNIDO cooperate closely on food security as demonstrated by the project in Palestine to support the establishment of the Center for Agricultural Technology Transfer. On this topic, we also congratulate Sudan and Italy for leading the Group of Friends of Food Security, which Japan is honored to be a member of.
In order to enhance supply chains, Japan is collaborating with UNIDO on supporting new business opportunities and technology transfers to countries in Global South in cooperation with Japanese partner companies.
Another project to strengthen the resilience of supply chain is the “Green industrial recovery project for Ukraine through technology transfer from, and the co-creation of, new businesses with Japan’s private industries.” This project is aligned with UNIDO’s Green Industrial Recovery Programme 2024-2028.
UNIDO is also a key partner of Japan for the development of clean energy infrastructure in Africa, using novel technologies from Japan’s private sector under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM). Since UNIDO is now accredited as a partner of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Japan will be able to extend its cooperation to the sector of climate resilience in developing countries.
(UNIDO’s work: Flexible budget implementation and gender)
Japan expects UNIDO to manage its budget effectively and efficiently to fulfill its mandate and supports the introduction of flexible budget implementation. Japan also supports the strategic mandate of gender equality, which will enhance its work through inclusivity and gender mainstreaming.
(Japan-UNIDO cooperation: TICAD9)
Last but not least, I would like to mention the ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Development, or TICAD9, which will be held in Yokohama next year. This will be a tremendous opportunity to further strengthen our cooperation with Africa. UNIDO is an indispensable partner for Japan, as exemplified by our 13 ongoing projects in more than 20 countries all over the continent. We look forward to exploring further areas of cooperation with Africa and UNIDO.
(Conclusion)
Let me conclude by reiterating our commitment to actively pursuing fruitful cooperation with UNIDO in order to address the urgent global issues we face.
Thank you, Madam President.
(END)