DG, UNIDO, Kandeh K. Yumkella
Crusoe Osagie
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Microsoft have agreed to extend their partnership to use e-initiatives to create new opportunities for employment, enhance industrial productivity and strengthen sound environmental practices.
The partnership extension letter was signed by Director-General of UNIDO, Kandeh K. Yumkella, and Chairman Emerging Markets, Microsoft, Orlando Ayala, on the side line of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).
The partnership began in 2006, with aim of harnessing the role of ICT in the micro- small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) of developing countries and economies in transition.
Over the last six years, the collaboration has evolved and resulted in the establishment of the AfrIPAnet investment monitoring platform, a computer refurbishment and e-waste initiative, and most recently, the launch of the Microsoft Innovation Centre in Uganda.
At the signing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, the representatives of the two organisations expressed their joint commitment to foster sustainable industrial development and positive social change through the use of innovative ICT solutions in Africa, and agreed to extend the partnership until September 2015.
UNIDO and Microsoft intend to pool their expertise and available resources to support youth and women’s entrepreneurship, to develop technology applications for agro-industry, and to foster the Green Industry Platform.
The Green Industry Platform, launched by UNIDO during Rio+20, is a global partnership between governments, business and civil society leaders to secure concrete commitments and mobilise action in support of the Green Industry initiative.
This initiative is focused on greening the manufacturing process by using energy and raw materials more efficiently, and pioneering the innovative practice and application of green technology.
Following the launch, it was announced that Microsoft, represented by Rob Bernard, the company’s Chief Environmental Strategist, had joined the Green Industry Platform.