President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The following countries align themselves with this statement: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine.

President,

Congratulations on your election, and our gratitude to the outgoing IDB President, Ambassador Gabriela Sellner, and other Bureau members, for their leadership. 

We reiterate our support for UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller and his re-election at the Riyadh General Conference in November. We appreciate his focus on climate change and the green transition. We commend the 29% increase in technical cooperation delivery and the record 102% increase in project funding, presented in his Annual Report for 2024. We welcome the significant efficiency gains and cost savings achieved and encourage further efforts. 

The EU acknowledges the positive outcome of the 41st session of the Programme and Budget Committee and consensus on the 2026-2027 biennial budget, ensuring a solid financial basis for UNIDO. We also appreciate the interim decision allowing horizontal flexibility of the operational budget, and vertical flexibility in the regular budget.

President,

The EU remains a top donor to UNIDO with financial support reaching close to 60 million EUR in additional funding in 2024, marking a 44% increase from 2023. In 2025, the EU funds 38 UNIDO projects with a total value of 356 million EUR. 

These resources allow UNIDO to deliver on joint priorities in all regions. Key areas include implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area, enhancing SME competitiveness and market access compliance, but also promoting circular economy and digital technologies uptake, expanding renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions, fostering sustainable supply chains and agri-food systems which are key for ensuring food security, and skills development.

We commend UNIDO for ensuring 69% of its projects contribute to gender equality, aligning with SDG 5. Continued efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment are crucial, for inclusive societies, better industrial and businesses outcomes, innovation, to address labour shortages, and for sustainable development. 

Progress towards gender parity is noted, but increased representation of women in senior management positions is needed. Adequate funding for the Division for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment activities from UNIDO’s regular budget remains important. 

We appreciate the development of the Medium-Term Programme Framework for 2026-2029, and encourage further progress with an Integrated Results and Performance Framework, based on SMART indicators.

We look forward to the active implementation of Management Action Plans in response to the assurance review by the Office of Evaluation and Internal Oversight and the Independent Oversight Advisory Committee’s reports. 

UNIDO’s participation in the 2025 EU Industry Days in Rzeszow, Poland, focusing notably on competitiveness and decarbonisation, was commendable. The UNIDO Global Green Industrial Dialogue in Vienna in July will highlight the crucial role of industry in driving the global energy transition, advancing both the Paris Agreement goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

We welcome UNIDO’s support for Ukraine’s industrial recovery and reconstruction which is largely co-financed by Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and also benefits from the support of other partners. We look forward to the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome in July.

The EU was also pleased to contribute to the recent Business Diplomacy Training organised by UNIDO for diplomats, economic counsellors and trade attachés from African, Caribbean, and Pacific States, funded by the EU and the Organisation of ACP States. 

President,

A reformed and strengthened UNIDO is vital to effectively support its Member States in addressing global crises that threaten sustainable development. Gross violations of international law undermine the UN system, and in this context, the EU calls on all States to abide by their obligations and ensure the protection of civilians in all conflicts.

The EU supports the reform of the UN Development System and encourages greater cooperation between UNIDO and other UN entities. Progress is acknowledged in increasing UNIDO’s technical cooperation activities through inter-agency collaboration. We expect the UN system to “Deliver as One” at country level for maximum development impact.

Thank you.