UNIDO ITPO Shanghai leads delegation to the World Without Hunger Conference

Hunger remains one of the most pressing challenges humanity faces today. In order to address this global issue collaboratively and fully achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the World Without Hunger Conference took place on November 5-7, 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event was co-organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Ethiopian Government, and the African Union Commission (AUC), with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The conference invited five heads of state and government, 25 ministers, and approximately 1,500 stakeholders from 100 countries, including prominent figures such as President William Ruto of Kenya, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah of Guinea, and Prime Minister Kamel Madouri of Tunisia. During the opening ceremony, UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller, Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed, and Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki delivered their opening remarks.​

UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller

Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed

Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki

The UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Network (ITP Network) hosted a side event titled "Bridging Technology and Investment: The ITP Network’s Approach." Representatives from 10 ITPO offices across 8 countries showcased how the ITP Network facilitates the global promotion of technology innovation to eliminate hunger.

 UNIDO ITP Network

At the event, Xiaolei Zhao, Head of UNIDO ITPO Shanghai, emphasized,“Technology and investment are not isolated forces but complementary drivers of innovation and transformation. Guided by the belief in promoting industrial technological innovation and nurturing international cooperation ecosystems, ITPO Shanghai launched the World Industrial & Innovative Technology Cooperations (WiiTs) Initiative.” In addition, other participants presented actionable suggestions for attracting global investors, governments, and local stakeholders to invest in projects that promote food security and contribute to the SDGs. These solutions aim to accelerate the development of sustainable agricultural technologies, improve infrastructure, and promote collaboration to ensure food security in vulnerable regions.

Head of UNIDO ITPO Shanghai, Xiaolei Zhao

The UNIDO ITPO Shanghai delegation, led by Xiaolei Zhao played a significant role in the conference. The delegation included Michele Orzan, Ambassador of the World Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (WUSME) to Austria, and representatives from the Centre for African Research and Training in Synecoculture (CARFS). During the conference, UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director of Global Partnerships and External Relations, Fatou Haidara, Director of ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships Luomei Shu, and Xiaolei Zhao engaged in discussions and exchanges with participants.