Global Industry Summit Ends with 'Riyadh Declaration' to Boost International Cooperation

The 21st session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General Conference concluded in Riyadh with the issuance of the historic 'Riyadh Declaration,' outlining a unified global vision for sustainable and inclusive industrial development and reflecting Saudi Arabia's pioneering role and leadership in the international industrial agenda.

 The conference, titled "Global Industry Summit," was hosted by the Kingdom from November 23 to 27 and brought together ministers, decision-makers, representatives of international organizations, and industry leaders from around the world. Over the course of a productive week, the summit witnessed extensive discussions and decisions shaping the future of the global industry.

 Participants commended the Kingdom's outstanding organization of the conference and its success in aligning its outcomes with global industrial development priorities and the rapid changes shaping the industrial transformation landscape.

 In his address during the closing session, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef expressed the Kingdom's pride in hosting this historic industrial event, as well as his personal honor in presiding over the 21st session of UNIDO's General Conference.

 The minister stated: "The spirit of partnership and cooperation was present in every discussion, negotiation, and decision, and it characterized the work of the conference from beginning to end. It also highlighted what the international community can achieve when it acts as a single partner. The visions and ideas presented during the summit were inspiring, the negotiations were serious and constructive, and the conference's recommendations reflected the determination of member states to accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development".

 Alkhorayef described the declaration as an embodiment of the collective ambition of the participating countries and a guiding framework to help nations navigate current challenges and seize future opportunities. He voiced confidence that the momentum initiated in Riyadh will translate into tangible results worldwide.

 The unanimous agreement of the "Riyadh Declaration" by all member states constituted the most significant achievement of the final day, focusing on strengthening international industrial cooperation and harnessing innovation, technology, and industrial modernization to address global challenges.

 A key outcome of the conference was the designation of April 21 of every year as the International Day of Women in Industry, affirming the pivotal role women play in shaping the future of industrial sectors. The conference recommended increasing women's participation across various industrial fields, expanding their leadership pathways, and promoting equitable social and diversity policies, in addition to elevating international recognition of women's contributions through this initiative.

 In this context, the minister emphasized that the industrial future cannot be sustainable without the full and active participation of women, noting that their ideas, leadership, and innovation are essential to building a more competitive and inclusive global economy. He added that the conference reaffirmed that empowering women in industry is not merely a social priority but an economic necessity for fostering growth and sustainability.

 Alkhorayef expressed his deep appreciation for the commitment of all participating delegations and UNIDO's leadership, foremost among them Director General Gerd Müller, pointing out that the success of this session reflects the contributions of every delegation and partner involved in the preparations and constructive discussions. He also praised the high professionalism and collaborative spirit demonstrated by UNIDO's teams, as well as the continuous support they provided to the Kingdom throughout all stages of planning and implementation.