Saudi Arabia to host 21st UNIDO General Conference in Riyadh, Nov 2025
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced its hosting of the 21st General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), scheduled to be held in Riyadh from November 23 to 27, 2025. The announcement was made during a promotional event organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in cooperation with UNIDO in Vienna, Austria, on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the Industrial Development Board (IDB). The event was attended by the Kingdom’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and International Organizations in Vienna, Dr. Abdullah bin Khaled Toulah, as well as representatives of member states and leaders from the industrial sector worldwide.
The event, which included participation from several officials and member state representatives, showcased Saudi Arabia’s key preparations for hosting the conference. It also featured presentations of national initiatives and projects related to industry and development, involving multiple entities including the Ministry of Media (Kanouz Initiative), Ministry of Investment (Invest in Saudi Arabia), Saudi Development Fund, Saudi Tourism Authority (Saudi Spirit), and the Saudi Export Development Authority.
His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industry, Eng. Khalil bin Ibrahim bin Salamah, stated in his speech that hosting this international event reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing multilateral cooperation in industrial development and contributing to joint solutions for challenges related to sustainable manufacturing, innovation, and technological transformation.
UNIDO Director-General, Mr. Gerd Müller, highlighted that the upcoming conference will provide an opportunity to strengthen partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society, expressing appreciation to Saudi Arabia for hosting the conference and for its efforts to support industrial development programs in developing countries.
The General Conference serves as a high-level international platform bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts from around the world to discuss key issues, including sustainable industry, digital transformation, green manufacturing, the circular economy, and development cooperation with least-developed and middle-income countries.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of this conference aligns with the objectives of its national vision to enhance its position as a regional industrial hub and to showcase its experience in developing a competitive and sustainable industrial sector, considered a cornerstone for diversifying the national economy under Saudi Vision 2030.