United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Brussels Liaison Office
Established in 2006, the UNIDO Brussels Office (BRO) works to strengthen UNIDO’s position as a partner of choice for inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) among the European Union institutions, including the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament, the European Investment Bank (EIB), as well as the Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Groups of States and the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF). The office also engages in outreach, representation and policy dialogue with the governments, private sector, Think Tanks, NGOS and other partners in Belgium, France, etc.
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UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the 15th session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013, as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the 18th session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote ISID in Member States.
UNIDO BRUSSELS GENERAL INFORMATION
Located in the headquarters of the European Union, UNIDO Brussels Liaison office provides strategic advisory services and policy advocacy to reinforce the vision and objectives of UNIDO at institutions of the European Union, the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and partners in Belgium.
In 2020, the Office enhanced its engagement with the new European Commission and new European Parliament, all within the European Union Multiannual Financial Framework for the next seven years (2021–2027). In July, the Director General met the new OACPS Secretary General (2020–2025) to reaffirm commitment to SDG 9 for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries. Under the exceptional circumstances of COVID-19, the Office organized several dialogues to enhance responsiveness in a holistic manner and build back better.
Foreword from the Representative
COVID-19 is the most important crisis since World War II, which calls for the most ambitious decisions to shape the future of multilateral cooperation for global recovery.
On 3rd February 2021, E. Macron, A. Merkel, M. Sall, A. Guterres, C. Michel, and U. von der Leyen declared: “we believe that this one can be an opportunity to rebuild consensus for an international order based on multilateralism and the rule of law through efficient cooperation, solidarity, and coordination. In this spirit, we are determined to work together, with and within the United Nations, regional organizations, international fora such as the G7 and G20, and ad hoc coalitions to tackle the global challenges we face now and in the future.”
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In that context, the United Nations, including UNIDO, is at forefront of the future of multilateral cooperation, giving UNIDO Liaison Offices a strategic role to position ISID in this novel political area.
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UNIDO Brussels Office work plan for 2021 is a response to this new environment and plan to deliver the following outputs:
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1. UNIDO’s strategic objectives in relation to the 2030 Agenda with strategic positioning towards EU accomplished through High Level strategic meetings with EU/OACPS, EPR/BRO International Policy Dialogues, EU International events, EU-UNIDO Flagship publication SOTIP 2022 and ACP-UNIDO flagship publication on best practices 2022.
2. Operationalization of the SDGs through strengthened partnerships with the EU, ACP and other partners in Brussels through High Level technical meetings with EU/OACPS, new partnerships developed, EU-UNIDO technical publications and ACP-UNIDO technical publications.
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3. External relations with EU Member States, stakeholders and partners effectively managed, included EU non-MS
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4. New avenues of financing with the EU and its partners explored and secured through meetings with DG INTPA, DG NEAR, EU Delegations, briefings with UNIDO HQs / FOs on EU priorities and programming, new UNIDO national/ regional/ global projects for EU funding 2021-2027.
UNIDO Brussels Newsletter aim at providing concise information on the European Union as a global player, as well as on the office concrete activities to advance our strategic objectives, we hope you will enjoy it!
Thank you.
Head of the UNIDO Office in Brussels and Representative to the European Union, European Investment Bank, ACP Secretariat Group of State, the Kingdom of Belgium.