ACP, UNIDO sign MOU to accelerate sustainable industrial development of ACP countries and regions
ACP Press Release: 24 March 2011 –
The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group Secretary-General, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with the goal to accelerate the sustainable industrial development of ACP countries and regions with the overall objective of poverty alleviation.
Dr Chambas singed the MOU with Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General of UNIDO, in Brussels on 24 March 2011. Speaking at the signing ceremony, which was witnessed by the members of the ACP Committee of Ambassadors.
Dr. Chambas said that to achieve the goal of accelerating the sustainable industrial development of ACP countries and regions the two organizations will build on their comparative advantages.
“Our respective institutions will build on each other’s comparative advantage in order to make specific contributions to this sustainable industrial development, building on ACP countries’ and regions’ national and regional development strategies,” he said.
According to Dr. Chambas, the cooperation between the ACP and UNIDO will be developed in three directions: -Supporting inclusive industries, particularly agro-industries, for jobs creation and poverty reduction in ACP countries; – Strengthening competitive industries and the private sector in the ACP States, in order to increase their participation in global trade, developing both production and trade-related capacities, and finally; -Developing environmentally friendly industries for promoting sustainable development in ACP countries.
This will help to assist ACP countries adapt to climate change, promote renewable energy and preserve the environment.
Dr. Chambas said that the comparative advantage of UNIDO in these three areas is rich and vast. “We are committed to play our role in this new partnership and boost development opportunities for ACP countries,” the Secretary-General, said. Dr. Yumkella has expressed his organization’s pleasure in joining the ACP Group to address the issues covered in the MOU.
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