Global Industry Summit opens in Riyadh to drive sustainable manufacturing – arabnews.jp

Report on the 21st UNIDO General Conference: Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The 21st General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), held in Riyadh from November 23-27, convened under the theme “The power of investment and partnerships to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals.” Organized in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the summit brought together leaders from 173 nations to address sustainable industrial development. This report outlines the key initiatives and commitments discussed, with a significant emphasis on their alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fostering Sustainable Industrialization and Innovation (SDG 9)

The conference highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strategic initiatives to build a resilient industrial base, directly contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

• National Industrial Strategy: The Kingdom’s strategy, a core component of Vision 2030, is transforming its industrial landscape. It has identified over 800 specific industrial opportunities to be realized by 2035.
• Investment and Infrastructure Development: A project pipeline exceeding $500 billion is in place, with a clear trajectory to establish an industrial base of 36,000 factories by 2035.
• Sector-Specific Growth: Emphasis is placed on high-growth sectors that promote innovation. Key areas include:
  1. Electric vehicles
  2. Pharmaceuticals
  3. Downstream chemicals
  4. Renewables
  5. Robotics and energy storage

Promoting Decent Work and Inclusive Economic Growth (SDG 8)

A central focus of the discussions was the creation of sustainable economic opportunities and decent work for all, in line with SDG 8.

• Economic Diversification: The automotive sector alone is projected to contribute $24 billion to the non-oil GDP by 2030.
• Job Creation: The development of the automotive industry is expected to create over 30,000 jobs, supporting the goal of productive employment.
• Global South Financing: The conference agenda included dedicated sessions on industrial financing for the Global South to promote equitable economic growth worldwide.

Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (SDG 5)

The summit underscored a strong commitment to enhancing the role of women in the industrial sector, a key target of SDG 5.

• Increased Participation: Female participation in the Saudi industrial workforce has doubled in less than a decade.
• Leadership in SMEs: Saudi women now constitute over 40% of the total industrial workforce in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, with significant growth in administrative and leadership roles.
• Dedicated Dialogue: A “Women’s Empowerment Day” was held to address structural barriers and highlight initiatives that enhance female leadership and economic contribution.

Empowering Future Generations through Education and Opportunity (SDG 4 & SDG 8)

Recognizing that 60% of its population is under 35, Saudi Arabia emphasized its focus on youth empowerment, aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8.

• Human Capital Development: Training platforms such as the National Industrial Academy and the National Automotive and Vehicle Academy are being utilized to upskill the youth.
• Future Generation Day: The summit dedicated a day to place young people at the center of the industrial dialogue, with sessions focusing on:
  1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills and the digital economy
  2. Green jobs and entrepreneurship
  3. Pathways from education to industry

Strengthening Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development (SDG 17)

The conference itself served as a platform for global cooperation, embodying the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• International Collaboration: The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts from 173 member states to strengthen cooperation between industrialized and developing nations.
• High-Level Participation: Over 150 speakers, including 20 ministers and 35 CEOs of global companies, participated, fostering dialogue on reimagining trade, industrial value chains, and AI-driven innovation.
• UNIDO-Saudi Partnership: The collaboration between UNIDO and the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources was presented as a model for achieving shared global economic and sustainability objectives.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article is centered on the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) conference, focusing on industrial transformation, sustainable manufacturing, innovation in sectors like electric vehicles and robotics, and building a large-scale industrial base.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article explicitly mentions job creation (“more than 30,000 jobs”), economic diversification (contribution to “non-oil GDP by $24 billion by 2030”), and empowering youth to ensure their “fair share of prosperity.”
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: A significant portion of the article is dedicated to women’s empowerment, highlighting a specific “Women’s Empowerment Day” at the summit and providing statistics on the increased participation of women in the industrial workforce.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The entire event is a manifestation of this goal. The summit’s theme is “The power of investment and partnerships to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals,” bringing together “173 countries,” ministers, and CEOs to foster global cooperation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
  • Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization. The article discusses Saudi Arabia’s commitment to “sustainable industrial development” and its national industrial strategy to build an “industrial base of 36,000 factories.”
  • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research, and innovation. The focus on advancing fields like “electric vehicles, robotics, and energy storage” as part of a national strategy aligns with this target.
• Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
  • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification and technological upgrading. The article highlights the plan to diversify the economy by creating an automotive sector that will “contribute to our non-oil GDP by $24 billion by 2030.”
  • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people. The article mentions the creation of “more than 30,000 jobs” and specific days at the summit dedicated to empowering women and youth in the industry.
  • Target 8.6: Substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. The focus on a “Future Generation Day,” training platforms like the “National Industrial Academy,” and empowering the 60% of the population under 35 directly addresses this target.
• Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
  • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership. The article highlights the “Women’s Empowerment Day” which aims to “enhance their leadership and contribution to economic growth” and notes “rapid growth in their representation in administrative and leadership positions.”
• Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
  • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development. The conference itself, bringing together “industry leaders, policymakers, and experts from 173 countries,” is a direct example of this partnership.
  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The summit is organized by UNIDO in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Industry and involves “35 chief executives of leading global companies,” showcasing a multi-stakeholder approach.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For SDG 9:
  • Investment in industrial projects: “The existing pipeline for projects now exceeds $500 billion.”
  • Number of factories: A clear goal “to build an industrial base of 36,000 factories” by 2035.
  • Number of industrial opportunities: “The strategy has identified more than 800 specific industrial opportunities.”
• For SDG 8:
  • Contribution to GDP: The automotive sector is projected to “contribute to our non-oil GDP by $24 billion by 2030.”
  • Number of jobs created: The automotive sector is expected to create “more than 30,000 jobs.”
  • Youth demographic: “60 percent of the population under 35,” indicating the scale of the target group for youth empowerment initiatives.
• For SDG 5:
  • Female participation in the industrial workforce: “doubled female participation in the industrial workforce in less than a decade.”
  • Proportion of women in the SME industrial workforce: “Saudi women today constitute more than 40 percent of the total industrial workforce in the small and medium enterprise sector.”
• For SDG 17:
  • Number of participating countries in the partnership: “173 countries.”
  • Number and level of participants: “more than 150 speakers will take part in the summit, including 20 ministers and 35 chief executives of leading global companies.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: arabnews.jp