Distinguished Heads of State and Governments, Mr. Li Yang, Director General of UNIDO, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to greet this important event on operationalizing the 2030 Agenda for Africa’s industrialization.

The adoption of the new agenda is a major step in our shared work towards ending poverty and promoting prosperity while protecting the environment.

Sustainable Development Goal 9 recognizes the importance of “Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation”.

Africa is seeking its own paradigm shift through Agenda 2063.

African countries are ready to promote structural transformation, technological change and innovation to address poverty, inequality and youth unemployment. They are determined to pursue modern industrial policies and intra-African trade and value chains.

Africa’s development partners, including the development agencies, financial institutions and the private sector, are ready to help. 

UNIDO’s new Programme for Country Partnership provides a concrete model of how to mobilize multi-stakeholder coalitions to achieve inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

The programme was launched less than a year ago in Ethiopia and Senegal, and we are already seeing results.

With the commitment already demonstrated by African leaders, and continued good partnership between the United Nations and the African Union Commission, we can enable people across Africa to end poverty and usher in a better future for all.

The United Nations will continue to support those efforts.  Thank you.