Established in 2006, works to further develop the policy dialogue and cooperation with the European Union institutions. including the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament, the European Investment Bank (EIB), as well as the Organisation of the ACP States, and the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF).
What We Do?
The UNIDO Liaison Office in Brussels develops the strategic dialogue and cooperation with the European Union institutions and other partners in Belgium on Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The office also conducts outreach, representation, and advocacy activities with governments, the private sector, think tanks, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other partners in Belgium, France, Luxembourg and beyond.
Key Areas of work
The Team in Brussels supports overall UNIDO efforts to promote, dynamize and accelerate industrial development in developing countries. In this context the Office provides:
- Relation management for high level strategic engagement and policy dialogue;
- Policy analysis and advocacy to promote Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) in Brussels;
- Enhance resource mobilization for technical cooperation and programming.
Impact and Results
In the last few years, the EU and UNIDO have strengthened their partnership, while working together to support industrial development, innovation and technology transfer in more than 100 countries around the world. Under the leadership of Mr. Gerd Müller, Director General of UNIDO and Ms Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Partnership, UNIDO and the EU had a High-Level Dialogue on 12 and 13 December 2022, that led to the further reinforcement of their global cooperation through the adoption of UNIDO-EU Aide-Mémoire in which four priority areas are identified: Circular economy, decarbonisation and sustainable energy; Sustainable growth and jobs and agribusiness; Digitalisation and innovation; Human development, TVET and skills; and 21 Action points to be implemented jointly all over the world.
