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25. November 2014

OPENING REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR TEBOGO SEOKOLO, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA ON THE OCCASION OF THE 42ND SESSION OF THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF UNIDO, 25 NOVEMBER 2014, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

 

Honourable Ministers,

Director-General,

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are extremely humbled by the honour bestowed upon South Africa, to serve on behalf of the African Group, as President of the 42nd session of the Industrial Development Board (IDB) of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

Equally, our congratulations go to the 3 Vice-Presidents and the Rapporteur who have been elected to serve as members of the Bureau of this session.

May I also extend our warm gratitude to H.E. Ambassador ALIYAR LEBBE ABDUL AZEEZ of Sri Lanka, the outgoing Acting President of the Board together with his colleagues in the Bureau, for all their efforts and hard work in laying the foundation for this session.

Distinguished delegates,

The 42nd session of the Industrial Development Board convenes at a critical period. We are on the eve of commencing with the intergovernmental process that will culminate in the crafting of a Post-2015 Development Agenda. Through the efforts of UNIDO and other partners, the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals has supported the idea of a stand-alone goal on Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) in the envisaged Post-2015 Development Agenda.  There is no doubt that UNIDO as a critical agency for the promotion of industrial development, will play an important role in supporting and complimenting Member States in positioning inclusive and sustainable industrial development at the centre of efforts to overcome poverty and underdevelopment, especially in developing countries.

Distinguished delegates,

As we commence this session, we should remind ourselves that industrialisation does not occur in isolation.  Transfer of technology and skills, market access and mobilization of financial resources are critical enablers and determinants for success. In this regard I hope that in this session and in the period ahead we will reflect on what we can do together to support the practical realization of the objectives of UNIDO, particularly the implementation of ISID.  In this regard we should applaud the DG and his Team for the two Forums on ISID that were held in June and November this year.  The high-level participation of stakeholders bares testimony to the value that member States attach to these initiatives and the potential they hold.

In conclusion, I wish all participants fruitful deliberations and a successful outcome of this session.

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