Statement of the G-77 and China during the 36th session of
the UNIDO Industrial Development Board (IDB), 23-26 June 2009, delivered by
H.E. Ambassador Eugenio Marķa Curia, Permanent Representative of Argentina
Mr. President, (H.E. Mr. Jerry Sonny UGOKWE, PR of Nigeria)
On behalf of the Group of 77 and China, I would like to congratulate you on your election as the President of the current Industrial Development Board session. The Group is confident that you will steer the IDB with great skills and that this session will come to a successful and fruitful conclusion.
I also take this opportunity to congratulate other members of the Bureau on their election and to thank your predecessor H.E. Ambassador Horacio Bazoberry, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia as well as other members of the bureau for their valuable contribution during the previous IDB session.
The Group has listened with great interest to the statement of Mr. Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General of UNIDO and in this regard appreciates his efforts in leading this Organization. The Group would also like to thank the Secretariat for the arrangements for this session.
The Group will be making comments on Agenda items 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 17 in the course of discussions on these items. I would restrict my intervention to comment on item 3 for this opening statement.
Agenda Item 3: Annual Report 2008
Mr. President,
The Group would like to commend the effort of the Secretariat in presenting the Annual Report 2008, underlining the continuous contributions of UNIDO in its three priority areas that would assist developing countries and LDCs in facing current challenges.
The Group appreciates the significant role played by the Programme Approval Committee in the continuous improvement of the Organization's technical cooperation activities, especially in project design, implementation modalities and incorporation of monitoring, reporting and evaluation mechanisms.
The Group encourages the implementation of UNIDO's decentralization initiative. The Group hopes that the establishment of an Energy and Climate Change Branch, the creation of an International Financial Institution Partnership Unit and the use of information technology to simplify and streamline UNIDO's business process, will enhance the effectiveness of the Organization.
The Group believes that the performance of the field offices has a direct bearing on the quantity and quality of technical cooperation delivery by the Organization. The Group therefore recommends a close monitoring of the operational requirements of the field offices. In this regard, the Group stresses the need of ensuring close coordination between UNIDO Headquarters, UNIDO Representatives and national counterparts. The Group urges the Secretariat, while implementing the decentralization initiative to keep in mind the national needs and priorities, as well as the establishment of better mechanisms for a transparent and efficient follow-up of projects implementation.
The Group notes the Organization's commitment as an active supporter of United Nations reform and acknowledges with satisfaction the Organization's cooperation activities with various other international organizations.
The Group takes notes of the Organization's study and research undertakings as well as its global forum activities. The Group believes that the results and the outcomes thus achieved could prove beneficial to the developing countries and LDCs by way of greater and effective technical cooperation delivery. Therefore, the Group requests that the Member States be regularly informed of such activities and their concrete outcomes in terms of improving and enhancing UNIDO's fulfillment of its mandate.
The Group would like to express its appreciation for the engagement of the Organization in the development of ISO 50001 on the Management System Standard for Energy. The Group hopes that the situations and needs of developing countries' industry will be taken into account in developing the standard. Considering that the ISO 50001 would be ready for publication by the end of 2010, the Group urges the Secretariat to implement the projects and programmes for assisting the industry in developing countries taking into account the development in this regard.
Thank you Mr. President.
Agenda Item 4: Implementation of the Medium-Term Programme Framework, 2008-2011
Mr. President,
The Group of 77 and China takes note of the information on the implementation of the medium-term programme framework 2008-2011, as contained in document IDB.36/14.
The Group of 77 and China is pleased to note that the Secretariat has continued to carry out various activities in the 3 thematic areas of poverty reduction through productive activities, trade capacity building, and environment and energy.
Under the thematic priority area of "Poverty reduction through productive activities", the Group encourages the Secretariat to continue promoting development of the private sector, agro-industry, transfer of technology, capacity-building in the field of investment promotion and better access to energy for developing countries to promote and accelerate their industrialization.
In the area of trade capacity-building the Group encourages the Secretariat to continue the development of the "Aid for Trade" initiative and increase its technical cooperation activities to promote local value addition, diversification of production, and the achievement of compliance with international standards.
The Group takes note of the progress made in the establishment of new centres for South-South Industrial Cooperation and encourages synergies among these centres. The Group requests that regional balance be taken into account, when establishing these centres.
(a) Regional Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean
Mr. President,
The G77 and China takes note of the activities carried out by the Secretariat in order to start the implementation of the Regional Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean, approved during the Second Expert Group Meeting, held in November 2007. Nevertheless, the Group is of the view that the activities executed are not enough to make the most of the potential in the Region on the priority areas of UNIDO. The Group urges the Secretariat to take action in order to implement this Regional Programme.
The G77 and China expects that the realities and necessities of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean Region be taken into account while the Secretariat plans and implements the activities of technical cooperation in these countries, at national and also at regional levels.
The Group also highlights the importance of close consultations between the Secretariat and the Member States of the Latin American and the Caribbean region, during the process of identification of technical cooperation activities. This identification activities process has to consider also the different integration processes and ongoing initiatives within the countries.
In this regard, the G77 and China urges the Secretariat to increase the exchange of information and coordination with the Member States of the Latin American and the Caribbean region in order to foster the activities of technical cooperation in the three thematic priority areas of the Organization.
The Group requests the Secretariat to convene the Third Expert Group Meeting for the Latin America and the Caribbean Region. This Meeting will give new impulse of the activities agreed in the above- mentioned Programme, and will allow the countries to define new strategies in the three thematic priority areas, and in resource mobilization.
Finally, Mr. President, the Group wishes to express its appreciation to donors in particular, Spain, Italy and Turkey, for financing some initiatives in the Regional Programme and invites the donor community to support the Programme.
Thank you, Mr. President.
(b) Regional Programme for Africa
Mr. President,
The Group commends the efforts of the Secretariat in the area of investment promotion especially through the establishment of the African Investment Promotion Agencies Network (AFRIPANET), launched on the occasion of the 18th Conference of African Ministers of Industry (CAMI) held in Durban in October 2008 and encourages UNIDO to provide assistance for the execution of the AFRIPANET strategy.
In view of the fact that the activities, which mainly focus on agro processing, are important for developing countries, the Group notes with satisfaction that an e-learning platform on traceability is being established as a follow-up of the International Conference on Sharing Innovative Agribusiness Solutions held in Cairo in November 2008.
The Group notes and supports the study on the topic "Africa and the Global Industrial Economy: Strategies for Prosperity" and believes that it will positively contribute to the High-level Conference on development of agri-business and agro industry that will be held in Nigeria in October 2009.
The Group notes with appreciation UNIDO's strategic programme for West Africa, and urges the Organisation to create similar programmes for other African regions. The Group further supports UNIDO activities to promote cleaner production practices in Africa.
(c) Arab Regional Programme
Mr. President,
The Group would like to highlight the importance of the role of UNIDO in enhancing industrial development in the Arab region. In this regard, the Group requests the follow-up of the recommendations of the Regional Arab Round Table adopted at the twelfth session of the General Conference.
The Group requests the Secretariat to strengthen the Organization's role in the three thematic areas in the Arab region, and stresses the importance of South - South cooperation as well as the need to build on the outcomes of the following important conferences:
- The International Conference on Innovative Solutions for Agribusiness held in Cairo in November 2008.
- The conference on Eco Cities of the Mediterranean Forum 2008 held in Jordan in October 2008.
- The UNIDO Global Forum on Clean Technologies for economic development held in Bahrain in February 2009.
Thank you, Mr. President.
(d) Other Regional Programmes: Regional Programme for Asia and the Pacific
Mr. President,
The Group of 77 and China takes note of the progress of sub-regional technical cooperation projects in the three thematic priority areas in the Asia and the Pacific region. The Group urges the Secretariat to prioritize technology transfer and capacity-building in the region and to report the success stories in this field for future replication.
The Group appreciates UNIDO's activities in the area of environment and energy, especially its continuously rising portfolio of GEF-funded Industrial Energy Efficiency and renewable energy projects in the region. The Group looks forward to the International Conference on Green Industry in Asia being hosted by the Philippines from 9 to 11 September 2009, as well as to having concrete follow-up actions of the Conference.
Regarding the Asia and the Pacific regional programme, the Group requests the development of a structured programme, a semblance of which may be seen in the MTPF 2010-2013, as explained in the relevant sections of the document IDB.35/8/Add.1.
Thank you Mr. President.
Agenda item 5: Report of the Programme and Budget Committee
Mr. President,
On this agenda item, the Group of 77 and China would like to reiterate its position as expressed during the 25th session of the Programme and Budget Committee. Nonetheless, I would like to briefly articulate, once again, the Group's views on various sub-items under this agenda item as follows:
(a) Interim report of the External Auditor, including the implementation of recommendations of the External Auditor for the biennium 2006-2007; financial performance report and programme performance report for the biennium 2008-2009;
Appreciating the work performed by the External Auditor, the Group finds that his report contains several comprehensive issues of great importance and therefore looks forward to the implementation of the recommendations by the Secretariat.
(b) Financial situation of UNIDO:
Welcoming the payments made by Member States to fully or partially meet their respective financial obligations towards the Organization, the Group appeals to the former Member States, as well as the Member States that have not already done so, to consider full and prompt payment of their arrears to the Organization. The Group also requests the Director-General to continue his efforts towards this end.
(c) Scale of assessments for apportionment of the regular budget expenses for the biennium 2010-2011:
Taking note of the scale of assessments for the UNIDO regular budget expenditures for the fiscal period 2010-2011 as well as the information contained in document IDB.36/3-PBC.25/3, the Group encourages the Secretariat to continue its efforts towards bringing back former Member States, so as to minimize the variance between the UN and UNIDO scale of assessments.
(d) Working Capital Fund for the biennium 2010-2011:
The Group requests the Secretariat to continue its efforts towards in-time collection of assessed contributions in order to minimize the withdrawal from the Working Capital Fund.
(e) Accounting standards:
The Group of 77 and China takes note of the steady progress towards the implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in UNIDO and looks forward towards the achievement by UNIDO of IPSAS compliant status by 1 January 2010, within the budgetary resources allocated for the purpose in the regular budget for the biennium 2008-2009.
(f) Financial regulations:
The Group of 77 and China takes note of the proposed interim amendments to UNIDO“s Financial regulations so as to fully implement the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). In this regard, the Group requests the Director-General to continue reporting on this matter to the Governing Bodies in their respective sessions.
(g) Mobilization of financial resources:
Mr. President,
Taking note, with satisfaction, of the measures developed by the Secretariat in order to strengthen the approval mechanism for technical cooperation activities as well as the continuing high-level of net technical cooperation project and programme approvals, the Group requests the Director-General to strengthen the Organizational capabilities to productively utilize available uncommitted funds.
The Group reiterates its request for greater funds mobilization for the projects in the first thematic priority namely poverty reduction through productive activities. At the same time, the Group urges the development partners to consider enhancing their contributions towards the Organization to fully meet the resource requirements for various Integrated Programmes (IPs) and Country Service Frameworks (CSFs), being implemented by the Organization.
(h) Appointment of an External Auditor:
Mr. President,
The Group of 77 and China believes that in performing his responsibility as the External Auditor of UNIDO, the Auditor General of Pakistan, Mr. Tanwir Ali Agha, has ably demonstrated his commitment and expertise. The Group is confident that, in observance of the existing practices in the Organization as well as the principles of continuity, equity, and equitable geographical distribution, an extension in his term of appointment for the two-year period 01 July 2010 - 30 June 2012 will give the Organization the opportunity to fully and efficiently benefit from his services.
The new development under this Agenda item since the PBC session, as contained in document IDB.36/10/Add.2 namely, withdrawal of the candidature by the Kingdom of Spain is appreciated by the Group.
I would also like to inform the Member States that the Group of 77 and China has presented a draft decision for the extension in the term of the current External Auditor for another two years.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Agenda Item 6: Programme and budgets, 2010-2011
Mr. President,
The Group of 77 and China would like to express its appreciation to the Secretariat's efforts for the preparation of the documentation on unutilized balances of appropriations, as well as the supplementary information on the proposals in response to issues raised by Member States during informal consultations.
Reaffirming its full support to the mandate and functions of the Organization, the Group appreciates the Director-General's efforts in further strengthening the capacities of the Organization.
The Group would like to express its thanks to H.E. Ambassador Shahbaz, Permanent Representative of Pakistan for efficiently conducting the Informal Consultations on unutilized balances of appropriations.
Thank you Mr. President.
Agenda Item 7: United Nations system-wide coherence: UNIDO's role
Mr. President,
The Group of 77 and China takes note of the documents IDB.36/15 entitled United Nations system-wide coherence: UNIDO's role and IDB.36/16 entitled UNIDO initiative on the Millennium Development Goals.
The Group appreciates the information on UNIDO's contributions to system-wide coherence at an inter-agency level, and in the form of its participation in (i) the CEB Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity, (ii) two regional training workshops, (iii) joint programming with other organizations in several pilot countries and (iv) UNDAF-targeted training, missions and joint programme planning sessions in some other countries and takes note of the activities in the spheres of trade and productive capacity, energy, transfer of technology, gender and economic empowerment of women.
The Group takes note of the information provided on the informal consultations earlier this year at the UN General Assembly, on the five issues namely, "Delivering as One" at country and regional levels, harmonization of business practices, funding, governance, and gender equality & the empowerment of women, as identified in UN General Assembly Resolution 62/277. In this respect, the Group encourages the Director-General to continue working closely with the Chief Executives Board for Coordination, and the United Nations Development Group in implementation of the initiative in a coordinated manner, according to the decision adopted by the General Assembly.
On the issue of "gender equality & empowerment of women", the Group encourages efforts towards achieving gender balance in the Organization. In this context, the Group would like to draw the Secretariat's attention to the lack of information on gender balance in the Organization in the report on agenda item 12 entitled: "Personnel matters".
The Group takes note of the challenges and difficulties arising from the system-wide coherence process and UNIDO's efforts towards addressing them. The Group also takes note of the value of UNIDO's project proposals in the pilot countries as well as the funding gap. In this context, the Group would like to highlight to the donor community the need for making available to UNIDO sufficient financial resources, so as to help the pilot phase run smoothly. This will contribute towards the success of the process.
The Group highlights the importance of the decision adopted by the General Assembly in Resolution 62/277, as a guideline for the actions to be undertaken by UNIDO in its contribution to the system-wide coherence process. In this regard, the result of the negotiations in the context of the Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review of Operational Activities for Development of the United Nations system, and the UN GA resolution 62/208, are also of great relevance.
The Group would like to emphasize that the pilot phase is still ongoing and a thorough evaluation has not been conducted, therefore actions pre-judging its outcome and beyond the "Delivering as One" initiative in the eight pilot countries are not desirable. Similarly, any increase in costs, particularly on long-term basis, would go against the underlying objectives and goals of this initiative. The Group is of the view that, with their limited human and financial resources, UNIDO's role as a willing participant in the processes is completely adequate.
In relation to the challenges identified by the Secretariat, especially the large number of countries (90 countries) rolling out their UNDAFs in the next three years, the Group understands that such programmes are being carried out on a voluntary basis and do not form part of the pilot phase of "Delivering as One" initiative. In this respect, we would like to emphasize that the General Assembly has not yet expressed its views with regard to the proposal of the High-level Panel.
The Group appreciates the information about the proposals made by UNIDO and the United Nations system Chief Executives Board (CEB) Inter-Agency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity to introduce new or reformulated Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targets, including accompanying indicators, which capture the contribution of the productive sectors, in goals 1, 3, 7, and 8.
The Group supports the Organizations initiatives on the MDG and encourages the Secretariat to work closely with Member States, until the adoption of the decision on this matter at the High-level MDG Review Conference in 2010. The Group hopes that with these refined indicators, all possible support and assistance would be provided to developing countries for the achievement of the MDGs.
Finally, the Group would like to reiterate its commitment to UN system-wide coherence and requests the Director-General to continue regularly informing the Member States on UNIDO's participation in the process.
Thank you Mr. President.
Agenda Item 9: Global food crisis: UNIDO's response
Mr. President,
The Group of 77 and China notes that the Global food crisis continues to affect the world's poor populations. Along with the fuel and financial crisis that the world has undergone in the past year, the pressure on food security of the LDCs has increased and therefore it needs actions at all levels by the international community.
The Group reiterates its conviction that UNIDO has a strategic role, both by its mandate and its expertise, to offer effective support in promoting food security, mainly through its thematic priority of "poverty reduction through productive activities". The Group therefore urges the Secretariat to broaden its efforts in securing funding for its crucial programmes in the field of agro-industries such as wider dissemination of post harvest technologies, supporting the development of SMEs in rural areas and transfer of modern farm technologies.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Agenda Item 10: Impact of the global financial crisis on industrial development in developing countries: UNIDO's response
Mr. President,
The Group of 77 and China takes note of document IDB.36/17 on the Impact of the global financial crisis on industrial development in developing countries: UNIDO's response.
The Group would like to express its appreciation to the Secretariat for the preparation of the document, which describes the root causes of the crisis and its impact on industrial development in developing countries. Nonetheless the Group would have appreciated receiving greater details about UNIDO's response to the crisis.
Mr. President,
The Group notes that the developing countries are bearing the brunt of the crisis which is already reversing their economic gains made in recent years.
The Group believes that any recovery plan from the current economic crisis will not be fully effective without addressing the related food crisis at the same time. The scope and magnitude of the problem requires short and long-term policy recommendations and actions at national, regional and international levels. In this context, UNIDO's response should focus on providing technical assistance to identify the policies and implement projects.
The Group of 77 and China also believes that UNIDO through its private sector development activities can step up capacity-building supports especially for SMEs adversely affected by the current economic crisis.
Thank you Mr. President.
Agenda item 11: Activities of the Joint Inspection Unit
Mr. President,
The Group of 77 and China takes note of the document IDB36/18 on the Activities of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU).
The Group concurs with the recommendations of the JIU Report JIU/REP/2008/2 entitled Junior Professional Officer/Associate Expert/Associate Professional Officer programmes in the United Nations system organizations and encourages the Secretariat to elaborate proposals for increasing the number of developing countries' candidates in the Young Professionals Programme. The Group urges the Secretariat to increase representation of nationals from under-represented Member States in this programme, giving due consideration to the principles of equitable geographical distribution and gender balance.
Regarding the national execution of technical cooperation projects, the Group encourages the Secretariat to further strengthen its auditing, monitoring and evaluation activities. The Group believes that cooperation, coordination and communication among the various stakeholders including coordination with the United Nations Regional Commissions in planning, implementing and following up Nationally Executed (NEX) projects, particularly cross-border projects, will create synergy, facilitate joint actions and promote regional cooperation.
The Group of 77 and China supports the JIU's recommendations on information and communication technology hosting services, and requests the Secretariat to give due consideration to these recommendations. The Group appreciates that UNIDO is one of the 'best practices' organizations mentioned by the JIU with regard to the status of considerations of reports by its governing bodies.
Thank you Mr. President.
Agenda Item 12: Personnel matters, including new social security agreement
Mr. President,
The Group of 77 and China takes note of the documents IDB.36/19 entitled Personnel Matters and IDB.36/20 entitled New Social Security Agreement between UNIDO and the Republic of Austria.
The Group has noted with interest the information on the developments on personnel related matter namely:
(i) Twenty-five new appointments in the professional and higher categories;
(ii) Increase in the number of Professional Staff serving in field offices;
(iii) Approval of two bulletins and an Administrative Instruction including on gender mainstreaming;
(iv) Executive Board decisions; and
(v) Introduction of a mechanism of meeting with new staff members, etc.
The Group would like to receive more information on the "One UNIDO" concept as mentioned in the document IDB.36/19.
The Group is encouraged to learn about the overwhelming response to the advertisement of ten positions of the Young Professionals Programme. However, the Group requests the Secretariat that all the vacancy announcements should be conveyed to the Permanent Missions of Member States so that the information gets the widest possible circulation among Member States.
With regard to the recruitment process and the Human Resource policy, the Group would like to stress the observance of the principles of transparency, equitable geographical distribution and gender balance.
The Group requests for an update on matters of the geographical distribution of staff, the gender balance, changes in staff strength/composition resulting from the implementation of the budget for the biennium 2008/2009 and the number of posts particularly those at the high levels and in the field lying vacant.
The Group takes note of the Director-General's initiatives and efforts aimed at raising staff morale and professionalism. The Group is confident that the Human Resource policy reforms, instituted by the Director-General, will impact positively on the performance of the Organization including the field offices.
To keep staff abreast of the latest developments, the Group encourages the Secretariat to consider the possibility of developing online training programmes/courses so that the field staff could also benefit from these initiatives.
The Group takes note of the various amendments made in the staff rules pursuant to common system developments and UNGA resolutions.
Thank you Mr. President.
Agenda item 14: Recommendation of a candidate for the post of Director-General
Mr. President,
The Group of 77 and China takes note of documents IDB36/21 on Candidates for the post of Director-General and IDB36/22 on Recommendation of a candidate for the post of Director-General.
The Group would like to express its full support for the re-election of Mr. Kandeh K. Yumkella for the post of Director-General.
During his first term of office, Mr. Yumkella has guided the Organization with dynamic leadership. The Group of 77 and China believes that Mr. Yumkella's re-election will provide an opportunity to the Organization to benefit from his meritorious skills.
Thank you Mr. President.
Agenda item 17: a) "Review of the place of the agro-industry sector in UNIDO's work programmes and strategy, with special emphasis on technology development & upgradation and dissemination, for accelerating its modernization and growth."
b) "Implications of climate change for sustained growth and expansion of agro-industries, particularly in the developing world, and vice versa of the potential positive impact of agro-industries for mitigating the effects of climate change world-wide."
The Group appreciates the Secretariat's efforts to prepare document IDB.36/CRP.5 and expresses its thanks to the Secretariat for the same. However, the Group would like a more detailed account, focusing on tangible outcomes.
The Group reiterates its conviction that UNIDO has a strategic role, both by its mandate and accumulated expertise, and would like the Organization to enhance innovative solutions for placing indigenous industrialization in the service of domestic agriculture, as the correct way of contributing to food security and empowerment of the small farmer.
Thus UNIDO could, inter alia, contribute by
(i) monitoring and analysing, in depth and pro-actively, the overarching trends in the global macro-environment as well as identifying specific possibilities of scaling up successful technology transfers in conventional areas in agro-industry, building upon its successes in the past, through expanding projects already undertaken such as the e-learning project, which was a follow-up of the outcome of the International Conference on Innovative Solutions for Agri-business, held in Cairo in November 2008;
(ii) exploring possibilities of intensifying activities, within its mandate, that can help increase agricultural productivity and market access in developing countries. UNIDO's extensive expertise and experience in providing technical assistance for food-processing and agro-based industries, and for reduction in post-harvest processing crop losses, could be built upon with a view to stepping up efforts for securing funding for crucial programmes in the field of agro-industries;
(iii) tasking the UNIDO South-South Centres, International Technology Centres and Investment & Technology promotion Centres to quickly identify specific proposals for facilitating actions in each of the above aspects.
The Group would like to stress that, while UNIDO sees its main role as a provider of various kinds of advocacy, advisory and facilitatory services in agro-industry, it is 'technology transfer' that is really the key to realizing the core mission of UNIDO: catalyzing successful transformation of natural resources into useful products and productive assets for sustainable and broad-based development. 'Technology and value addition activities' constitute the summum bonum - the core of the core - of UNIDO's mandate, for they are the main determinants of dynamism in a country's changing comparative and competitive advantage profile.
The Group would therefore like to request the Secretariat to present figures of funds allocated and spent in TC (technical cooperation) programmes so far in a manner that clearly brings out the weightage actually accorded to this sector in TC deliveries as a whole and, separately, also sub-grouped under the headings, mainly: (i) "technology and value addition", (ii) "strengthening the supply chain and enhancing market access" and (iii) "standards, certification and other forms of capacity building". Such a disaggregated and re-grouped presentation of funding and financial performance data would be helpful to the Group to take stock of the place of agro-industries in UNIDO's work in a strategic perspective and for finding ways of overcoming the difficulties in scaling up investments in the agro-industrial sector.
The Group also requests the Secretariat to:
(i) study the proceedings of the April 2008 Global Agro Industries Forum, the November 2008 International Conference on Sharing Innovative Agribusiness Solutions and the other conferences on agro-industry related themes and collate innovative ideas and possibilities of technological upgradation (suitable for implementation nationally by Member States, and by the UNIDO under its TC and other programmes) in one single document that can serve as a ready reference for Member States;
(ii) list the various technologies necessary for planning sustained growth of agro-industries in the developing countries, and of projects undertaken within UNIDO's TC programmes, as well as indicating the cases of successful technology transfers in agro-industry projects that are worthy of replication elsewhere in other developing countries;
(iii) report on the actual amount of investment in the agro-industrial sector which resulted from UNIDO's advocacy and liaison with International Financial Institutions and others, and report separately on the amount that is in the pipeline.
The challenge of climate change is an all pervasive one, with potentially far-reaching implications in all fields. Its impact, and implications, in the area of agro-industries in particular therefore deserve to be examined in detail, given the crucial importance of this sector for the developing world. The Group therefore requests the Secretariat to study the implications of climate change for sustained growth of the agro-industrial sector, particularly in the developing world, and vice versa of the potential positive impact of agro-industries for mitigating the effects of climate change world-wide and, accordingly, to also examine possibilities of accelerating the growth and modernization of agro-industries world-wide.
A global programme for stepped up investment in the agro-industries sector can therefore be beneficial for all countries, developing and industrialized, because of the sustainable positive impact it would have on the productivity and employment scenario in developing countries, at the same time, by way of economic demand stimulation in the global economy as a whole and environmental protection benefits for the world at large in the longer term.
In conclusion, Mr. President, the Group stresses the importance of UNIDO's mandate for promoting industrialization in the developing world, while addressing the issues of food security, energy security and climate change. The Group would like to be briefed by the Secretariat on UNIDO's response to the different requests expressed, before the next session of the General Conference.
