United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that focuses on promoting industrial development, economic growth, and international cooperation. It was established on January 1, 1967, by the UN General Assembly to promote and accelerate the industrialization of developing countries. It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and has a permanent presence in over 60 countries.

UNIDO's primary mandate is to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial development in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. It seeks to reduce poverty, improve living conditions, and create employment opportunities by fostering the growth of manufacturing industries, technology transfer, and capacity-building.

Over the years, UNIDO has played a significant role in promoting industrial development in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. It has provided technical assistance, training, and investment promotion services to help countries develop their industrial sectors. UNIDO has also worked to promote international industrial cooperation and to help countries integrate into the global economy.

UNIDO’s relations with Pakistan

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has a long and productive relationship with Pakistan. UNIDO began its cooperation with Pakistan in 1966, and established a country office in Islamabad in 1968. Since then, UNIDO has implemented over 50 projects in Pakistan, covering a wide range of industrial sectors, including: Agribusiness, Chemicals and pharmaceuticals, Construction and building materials, Energy, Engineering and metalworking, Environment, Food and beverage, Leather and textiles and Small and medium-sized enterprises. Some key facts regarding UNIDO’s projects in Pakistan are given below:

• Ongoing Projects: 9
• Total Budget: $71,028,403

UNIDO's projects in Pakistan have helped to promote sustainable industrial development, create jobs, and improve the lives of millions of Pakistanis. For example, UNIDO has worked with the Pakistani government to develop and implement a renewable energy strategy, and to support the growth of the country's small and medium-sized enterprise sector.

UNIDO’s Project for Agri-Food and Agro-industry Development Assistance (PAFAID) which was a US$ 5 million -JICA funded project, implemented during (July 2019 to June 2023) and was implemented in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in close collaboration with Ministry of National Food Security and Research and provincial Agriculture Departments. JICA, UNIDO and Pakistani sides are currently negotiating a much larger project to build on the momentum and upscale the existing facilities.

Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) Project is an EU funded Euro 50 million, 5 year- project launched in 04 districts of rural Sindh. The project was started in 2020, however due to COVID-19 its implementation was delayed, the project is now on course and is expected to be completed in 2027. Negotiations are underway to replicate the project in other parts of Pakistan.

UNIDO’s Country Partnership Programme (PCP) for Pakistan (2025-2029) is currently under negotiation. UNIDO is also working on 6 projects, in various fields. Notable amongst these is the project on ‘Accelerating low-carbon technology investments in the MSME sector in Pakistan’.

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