‘World Industrial Day’ was launched at COP28 as leaders gathered at the conference’s thematic day for Energy and Industry, Just Transition, and Indigenous People.
It was established by the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Unido).
The announcement was made in the presence of Gerd Müller, Director General of Unido and Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology at COP28 UAE.
This announcement put forward by the United Arab Emirates and Unido, aims to establish an international day dedicated to advancing inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Müller and Al Suwaidi were joined by sustainability leaders from governments, the private sector, academia, and international organisations to celebrate the launch of World Industrial Day and support the call to unite global efforts to shape the future of industries and accelerate innovation for Climate Action.
Welcoming the launch of World Industrial Day, Müller, said: “Modern industry is key to sustainable development! World Industrial Day will mark our commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable industrialisation for economic growth for all, while preserving our environment and climate.”
The Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit will work together with MoIAT and Unido to officially register World Industrial Day, under the United Nations (UN) framework, and work to establish it alongside the 2024 edition of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit that will be held in Abu Dhabi.
Al Suwaidi, added: “The World Industrial Day will serve as a reminder that the industrial sector is the bedrock of global economic progress and prosperity, reflecting the principles championed by the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit and its co-chairs.
“The initiative will invite nations to reaffirm their commitment to developing a sustainable and environmentally responsible industrial landscape, uniting every industry, organisation, and individual in a shared mission to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for all.”
World Industrial Day aims to raise awareness, promote sustainable industrial practices, foster innovation, recognise organisations at the forefront of the green agenda, and enable greater multi-stakeholder collaboration. The initiative will drive efforts to decarbonise industry, reduce carbon emissions, and facilitate energy transition to achieve net-zero.
Delivering a keynote address to launch World Industrial Day, Namir Hourani, Managing Director of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit, stated: “We are honoured to launch the World Industrial Day at COP28 UAE. The announcement is a testament to our commitment of uniting the world to enable collective action.
“Together with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and UNIDO, we aim to establish World Industrial Day as a catalyst of change, promoting sustainable practices and inspiring a balance between economic prosperity and environmental stewardship.” – TradeArabia News Service
