The Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Gerd Müller, has completed a six-day mission to Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), reinforcing UNIDO’s commitment to advancing inclusive and sustainable industrial development across the Gulf region. His visit focused on strengthening partnerships in industrialization, renewable energy, and climate action.
Strengthening Industrialization and Sustainability in Oman
In Oman, the Director General engaged in high-level discussions with Sheikh Khalifa Alharthy, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Qais bin Mohammad Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. Their talks centered on aligning UNIDO’s technical and policy expertise with Oman’s Vision 2040 and industrialization agenda. Müller emphasized the need to enhance local value addition in supply chains, integrate innovative technologies, and promote skills training to accelerate economic diversification and job creation.
A key highlight of the visit was Müller’s participation as a keynote speaker at Oman’s National Industry Day, where he reiterated UNIDO’s role in supporting the country’s transition towards a resilient and sustainable manufacturing sector. On this occasion, he signed a Joint Declaration with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion to deepen cooperation in key industrial sectors and strengthen Oman’s position as a manufacturing hub within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Further discussions with Oman’s Environment Authority focused on strategies to meet national climate commitments through sustainable industrial practices, circular economy initiatives, and environmental conservation. Müller also toured the SOHAR Port and Free Zone, a major industrial hub, where he engaged with senior executives on advancing value chain development and leveraging renewable energy solutions such as green hydrogen. Recognizing Oman’s potential as a leader in sustainable energy, he underscored the importance of global collaboration in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Expanding UNIDO-UAE Collaboration
In the UAE, Müller participated in the World Government Summit, a premier global forum for governance and development dialogue. Speaking on a panel on global trade, he underscored the necessity of a fairer globalization model, emphasizing the role of international cooperation and the importance of solidarity with developing countries. He highlighted how industrial development fosters economic resilience, enhances global trade, and contributes to poverty reduction.
Further strengthening UNIDO’s partnership with the UAE, Müller met with Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. Their discussions reaffirmed the UAE’s role as a strategic partner for UNIDO and celebrated ongoing collaborative initiatives, such as the establishment of a Global Center for Health Industry Readiness. This initiative aims to enhance global preparedness for health-related challenges by fostering innovation and capacity-building in medical supply chains.
The talks also explored the creation of a Global Carbon Capture and Utilization Center, aimed at deploying advanced technologies to mitigate carbon emissions and promote sustainable industrial practices worldwide. Müller commended the UAE’s leadership in advancing industrial sustainability and reiterated UNIDO’s commitment to providing technical expertise and policy support for these transformative initiatives.
A Commitment to Industrial Transformation and Climate Action
The Director General’s visits to Oman and the UAE reaffirm UNIDO’s dedication to supporting industrial transformation, economic diversification, and climate action in the Gulf region. Müller expressed optimism about the strengthened partnerships and the opportunities for further collaboration in driving sustainable industrial growth and environmental stewardship.
Source :United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO),
