African candidate for post of UNIDO Director General, Dr. Arkebe Oqubay, receives support from the Economic Commission for Africa Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development

After the endorsement of Dr. Arkebe Oqubay by the 34th Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government held on 7 February 2021,, as the sole African candidate for the position of Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the African ministers of finance, planning and economic development of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), meeting at their 53rd session (hybrid) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 22 and 23 March 2021, took note of the nomination of Arkebe Oqubay as the Africa candidate for the post of Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. They recognized the important role that the United Nations Industrial Development Organization must play in building forward better, and also in contributing to and supporting the industrial and economic policies that will support inclusive and sustainable growth in the developing world;.

The ministers further acknowledged Mr. Oqubay’s proven track record in leading, formulating and delivering innovative and meaningful policy change across developing economies. They express their confidence that that Mr. Oqubay’s extensive experience, combined with his international outlook, makes him the best candidate for the role of Director General. They also recognized Mr. Oqubay’s far-reaching vision for a revitalized United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the focus that he is placing on carbon-neutral industrialization, global knowledge exchange and inclusive industrial growth.

To that effect, the African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development welcomed the opportunity to work closely with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in the post-COVID-19 era and in the years to come; and extended their support for the candidacy of Mr. Oqubay for the post of Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. A statement was issued during the ministerial meeting to re-endorse Dr. Arkebe Oqubay as the sole African candidate for the post of Director General for UNIDO.

For further media inquiries, please contact:

1. Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head of Information Division | Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | Mobile: +251911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

2. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Directorate of Information and Communications (DIC) | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org