UNIDO director general lauds Belarus’ approaches to sustainable industrial development

Andrei Dapkiunas, Belarus’ Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, met with Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on 25 March, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The parties praised the long-standing successful cooperation between Belarus and UNIDO.

Andrei Dapkiunas confirmed Belarus' interest in expanding the organization’s project activities in the country. The parties discussed joint possible initiatives aimed at expanding the implementation of the potential of the fourth industrial revolution and smart manufacturing for accelerated digital transformation in Belarus.


The parties discussed the prospects of launching a UNIDO project in the Great Stone Industrial Park with the attraction of Chinese financing to give this park the status of an eco-industrial park.

During the meeting, the head of the permanent mission of Belarus conveyed a message from Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maksim Ryzhenkov to the UNIDO director general with a proposal to extend the cooperation framework between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and UNIDO for the next five years.

The UNIDO director general expressed his support for Belarus' approaches aimed at ensuring sustainable industrial development, and also readiness to expand cooperation, including the extension of the cooperation framework for another five-year term.

Andrei Dapkiunas touched upon the topic of middle-income countries and stressed the special role of UNIDO, as the only international organization with a special partnership framework with middle-income countries, in helping those countries address their development challenges.

The permanent representative of Belarus raised the issue of sanctions against Belarusian potash fertilizers, noting the negative impact of such measures on global food security. Andrei Dapkiunas stressed the important role of international organizations in countering sanctions and condemning the practice of unilateral coercive measures.

UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations, the statutory objective of which is to assist states in the modernization of industrial production, environmentally sound and sustainable industrial development, introduction of new technologies and their adaptation. Belarus supports the strengthening of UNIDO's leading role in promoting sustainable industrial development, uses the organization's expertise and capabilities to improve the competitiveness and environmental friendliness of industry, introduce modern technologies and standards. In December 2020, a cooperation framework between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and UNIDO was signed with an initial term of five years. The program defines the areas for expanding interaction and joint work, taking into account the priorities of social and economic development of Belarus.

Belarus traditionally takes an active part in the work of UNIDO's governing bodies. In November 2023, Belarus was elected for the fifth time to one of the main decision-making bodies of UNIDO - the Industrial Development Board.