AUC Deputy Chairperson Meets UNIDO Director General

Addis Ababa, 9th October 2013-: The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Erastus Mwencha received UNIDO new Director General Mr. LI Yong.

During the meeting, Mr. LI said that UNIDO attached great importance to Africa's development in general and to assisting the Least Developed Countries in particular. He stressed that "the world needs today a development model that ensures prosperity for all, safeguards human dignity and provides jobs for the youth”. He also indicated that in the context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the post-2015 Development Agenda, it urges to open doors for Africa's inclusive sustainable industrial development in order to ensure transformative growth and poverty reduction in the continent.

He took the opportunity to invite the African Union Commission to participate at the fifteenth session of the General Conference of UNIDO which will take place from 2nd to 6th December, 2013 in Lima, Peru.

H.E Erastus Mwencha expressed his personal appreciation to the new Director General, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Commission, for choosing Africa and the AU as his first destination upon appointment.

He further noted that this gesture of friendship serves as a wakeup call for Africa, which remains the least industrialized continent.

He stressed the need for greater Industrialization in Africa and having a good understanding of UNIDO and its mechanism. The Deputy Chairperson said he was confident the common industrialization goal of Africa would be achieved.