"Africa needs to invest in training and education for women and youth to industrialize, grow the private sector and achieve sustainable development.
"
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the International Day for Africa Industrialization
Trainees at the project known as “Connecting 1,500 Women and Girls to the Export Market”, in Addis Ababa. The project trains women and girls to develop skills in industries such as leather, weaving, basketry, embroidery, gemstones, and spinning.UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe2015 theme - “Small and Medium Enterprises for Poverty Eradication and Job Creation for Women and Youth"
Within the framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (1991-2000), the UN General Assembly, in 1989, proclaimed 20 November Africa Industrialization Day (resolution 44/237).The Day is intended to mobilize the commitment of the international community to the industrialization of Africa.
The important contribution of inclusive and sustainable industrialization in helping Africa to overcome its critical development challenges is clearly recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Sustainable Development Goal 9 calls to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will host a symposium in Vienna on 23 November to celebrate Africa Industrialization Day and showcase relevant actions and success stories that promote Africa’s industrial development.
It will bring together representatives from the diplomatic corps, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and other relevant stakeholders. See the UNIDO website for more information.