Riyadh, 28 November 2025 - The 21st Session of the UNIDO General Conference concluded after five days of intensive deliberations with Member States having reached consensus on a range of important resolutions after constructive debate characterized by cooperation, compromise and respect for diverse voices.
UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller addressing delegates at the closing session: “We have had record participation from all over the world: our Member State delegates, over 40 ministers, and huge involvement from the private sector. We will see the benefits of that going forward from this Conference and Summit. We have accomplished so much this week, above all the formulation and adoption of the Riyadh Declaration as the milestone to come out of this General Conference.”
The Riyadh Declaration charts the direction of UNIDO's work for the future of industries in alignment with Member States' needs amidst new challenges and opportunities. It reaffirms Member States’ commitment to the transformative power of industry and partnerships for sustainable development - a driver for achieving the 2030 Agenda. It recognizes the great potential of sustainable industrialization to eradicate poverty, combat climate change and build an inclusive and resilient global economy. It enshrines gender equality, sustainable global and regional supply chains, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy, contributing to a world without hunger through investment in agro-industries and local value addition. It calls for the creation of an International Sustainable Industrialization Hub and solutions driven by 'progress by innovation' through technology and knowledge transfer, fostering digitalization and AI as key to seize new opportunities to realize inclusive and sustainable industrial development consistent with UNIDOs core mandate.
The decisions and resolutions adopted by Member States include a resolution on further advancing gender equality in industry and women’s empowerment, cementing this as a priority for the Organization and its programmes. A resolution on transition to circular economy affirmed the crucial role of that approach in preserving resources, preventing waste and creating value and jobs as a cornerstone of UNIDO’s work.
The General Conference adopted the Ministerial Declaration resulting from the 11th Ministerial Conference of Least Developed Countries immediately preceding the General Conference, addressing the nexus of energy and industrialization in Africa, as well as a resolution on strengthening UNIDO’s role in enhancing global food security. There was also agreement on UNIDO’s budget for the 2026-2027 biennium, upholding the basis of the Organization’s financial stability and effective service delivery.
The 21st Session of the UNIDO General Conference also appointed Gerd Müller for a second term as Director General of UNIDO.
The consensus outcomes reflect a strong shared commitment to international cooperation and collective action as one global community supporting inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
The Global Industry Summit’s thematic days spotlighted crucial dimensions of sustainable development: investment and partnerships, the empowerment of women and youth as drivers of industrial transformation, with a wide variety of side events showcasing innovative pathways to achieve sustainable economic and industrial development and offering opportunities to form innovative new partnerships for development.
A number of new initiatives were also launched in the course of the Summit. These included the signing of new Programmes for Country Partnership (PCP) with Senegal, the State of Palestine, and Togo and a Country Programme with Iraq as well as the extension of PCP Morocco. It also saw the signing of the Industrial Recovery Programme for the Syrian Arab Republic. The signing of the Global Alliance for Responsible and Green Minerals membership pledge by representatives of governments of Germany and Finland, the launch of the UNIDO Youth Framework as well as the Industrial Development Report 2026 and UNIDO Vision 2050 were among the key events during the Conference – accompanied by a diverse array of new bilateral and multilateral partnerships, collaborations and projects amongst UNIDO, Member States and private sector partners which promise to accelerate sustainable industrial transformation globally, especially for developing and least developed countries.
Summarizing the spirit and results of the 21st UNIDO General Conference, Müller concluded: “We know the way forward, and we know how much more we can accomplish together as we shape the future of sustainable industrialization. So let us go now with fresh energy, inspiration and renewed spirit and make that future of industries a reality.”