THE HIGHLIGHT

How can embassies drive sustainable investments?

With the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement set to reshape the global investment landscape, business diplomacy is emerging as a cornerstone of economic strategy. This approach enables embassies and diplomatic missions to go beyond traditional roles, driving both inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI).
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For many countries, especially ACP (African, Caribbean, and Pacific) states, attracting FDI presents significant challenges. However, as a permanent presence in key markets, embassies have untapped potential to enhance the efforts of investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and facilitate investments aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

CHECK OUT THE INTERACTIVE STORY

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UNIDO and AEZO collaborate to advance Special Economic Zones in Africa - Press Release

On 28 November 2024 at the African SEZ Annual Meeting in Nairobi, UNIDO and the Africa Economic Zones Organization (AEZO) came together to highlight the importance of advancing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as key drivers of sustainable industrialization across the African continent.

During the session, the new UNIDO-AEZO Report on “Characteristics, Trends, and Way Forward for Special Economic Zones in Africa” was launched, UNIDO and AEZO formalized their collaboration to strengthen SEZ governance by signing an MoU, and tools like UNIDO’s Invest in ACP Platform and Industrial Park Platform were presented.

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Master Class held at the WAIPA World Investment Conference 2024

At the WAIPA World Investment Conference 2024, UNIDO delivered a Master Class on:
➡️ Promoting investment-ready projects
➡️ Structuring opportunities that grab investor attention 💼
➡️ Matching projects with the right investors 🤝
The UNIDO Invest in ACP Platform and digital tools such as DIPS and COMFAR help IPAs overcome challenges like limited budgets, skills gaps, and poor targeting to attract impactful investments.

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Empowering Cameroonian SMEs & VSEs: Advancing Local Content!

From December 4–5, 2024, Douala became the hub for strengthening local content 💡 as the SPX-CMR hosted a workshop to finalize and validate Cameroon’s Local Content Charter. This impactful event was made possible with the ILO's financial support and UNIDO’s technical expertise under the EU- & OACPS-funded ACP Business-Friendly Programme.

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Investment Project Preparation and Appraisal Training Organized for Industrial Projects Service (IPS) Staff in Ethiopia

Between 10-14 December 2024, UNIDO held a four-day Investment Project Preparation and Appraisal (IPPA) training with Investment Promotion Service (IPS) staff in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 22 participants (9 women) gained practical skills in investment project preparation and appraisal using UNIDO’s methodologies.

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COMFAR Beginner Training held with Industrial Projects Service (IPS) Staff in Ethiopia

We are excited to announce the successful completion of the 5-day COMFAR training for 24 dedicated professionals from the Investment Promotion Sector (IPS) (30% women), which took place between 27-31 January 2025. This training is a key milestone in building IPS’s capacity to formulate and appraise investment projects effectively.

READ MORE ABOUT THE TRAINING HERE

Supporting Sustainable Investments in Zambia's Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Sector

Learn how the UN in Zambia, through agencies like UNIDO, is supporting the country to attract Sustainable Investments and strengthen Skills Development to advance up Value Chains and foster inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Invest in ACP featured on the UNIDO Solutions Platform (USP)

We’re thrilled to announce that the UNIDO Invest in ACP Platform, developed under the ACP Business-Friendly Programme, funded by the European Union and the OACPS, is now featured on the UNIDO Solutions Platform (USP)! 🎉

The USP is a one-stop hub showcasing solutions that drive industrial transformation and contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It connects governments, development organizations, and private sector actors with cutting-edge tools to address global challenges.

ACCESS OUR USP PAGE HERE

THE CARIBBEAN

Improving Quality Infrastructure in the Caribbean

The Caribbean Component of the ACP QI Programme which is currently being implemented in collaboration with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is currently managing eight ongoing activities. Here’s the latest on our ongoing initiatives:

Strengthening Certification in Cocoa and Coconut Value Chains

In our newest activity, two firms working in the cocoa and/or coconut value chains are being selected for support to attain internationally recognized quality management systems certification. This initiative includes a comprehensive gap analysis to determine specific needs, followed by targeted capacity-building efforts to address identified gaps. The activity is set to boost value chain competitiveness and compliance with global standards.

Development of National Standardization Strategies

January 23-24, 2025, Georgetown, Guyana / Ongoing

Seven beneficiary countries in the Caribbean embarked in developing their national standardization strategies in line with CROSQ Regional Standards Development Priority Plan (RSDPP) and international best practice. Beneficiary countries include Haiti, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Belize, Guyana, Suriname and the Bahamas.

A National Standardisation Strategy (NSS) is a policy roadmap which ensures that a country’s national strategic priorities are supported by relevant national and international standards.

The first stakeholder engagement was held in Guyana on January 23 and 24, 2025. More than 50 participants from national sectors attended this workshop which was aimed at sensitising stakeholders, validating research findings and obtaining additional information which may be necessary. Similar workshops will be held in March for the remaining countries after which the NSSs will be drafted for each participating country.

Accreditation of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs)

January 13 – 28, 2025, Remote / Ongoing

In an effort to build the capacity of CABs to provide services to the cocoa and coconut value chains, six of them are being supported towards accreditation readiness in ISO/IEC17025:2017 or other relevant international quality management standard.

Training is currently ongoing and the following have been delivered:

• Central laboratory in Suriname received training in Basic Metrology, Method Validation and Measurement Uncertainty; Root Cause Analysis; Risk Analysis for Laboratories from January 13 – 16, 2025
• Bureau of Standards Jamaica received training in Method Validation and Measurement Uncertainty from January 23 – 24, 2025
• Government Analyst Food and Drugs Department in Guyana received training in Method Validation and Measurement Uncertainty from January 27 – 28, 2025

Development of National Laboratory Policy

January 30, 2025, Jamaica / Ongoing

National Laboratory Policies are being developed for Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda and The Bahamas. The National Laboratory Policies are being customized to each country and aligned to the CROSQ Regional Non-Medical Laboratory Policy which was developed and published in 2022. Research and Stakeholder sensitization activities have been completed in The Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda and draft policies were validated in both countries in December 2024 and January 2025 respectively.

On January 30, 2025, a stakeholder sensitization activity was held in Jamaica. The meeting was aimed at laboratory stakeholders in Jamaica and included representatives from relevant ministries, trade, health and Quality Infrastructure institutions and the private sector. This activity was important in informing relevant stakeholders about the National Laboratory Policy development while highlighting the relevance of such a policy to the development of national quality infrastructure. The session also showed how the policy would complement the QI frameworks and tools which already exist in the country. Importantly, the activity was supported by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce in Jamaica.

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AFRICA

Supporting Digitalization of the Standards Harmonization Procedure in Africa

Under the ACP QI Programme, the standardization work is being carried out by UNIDO together with the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) in the following technical committees:

• TC 13 on oilseeds, edible fats and oils
• TC 15 on nutrition and food for special dietary uses
• TC 29 on road, rail, air and water transport infrastructure
• TC 61 on labelling, sustainability and resilient systems

As at the end of January, the achievements of the TCs in this standardization work are as follows:

1. ARSO/TC 13: Prioritized 40 work items, with 13 targeted standards for development.

2. ARSO/TC 15: Revised two standards: ARS 860:2016 – Fortified wheat flour specification and ARS 861:2016 – Fortified maize flour specification. Developed and harmonized 12 new standards (including baby food, gluten-free products, and super cereal plus).

3. ARSO/TC 29: Developed and harmonized 6 draft standards, with 1 withdrawn due to duplication.

4. ARSO/TC 61: Developed 5 draft voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) for shea butter, sunflower, soya, oil palm, and groundnuts, integrating European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements. The 5 sustainability standards are to be published in June 2025.

Digitization of ARSO's Standards Harmonization Procedure and Library

To enhance efficiency of standards harmonization, ARSO and UNIDO partnered to digitize ARSO's Standards Harmonization Procedure (SHP 01) and Library, the central repository for standards information. The digital platform is expected to reach its final development stage by March 2025.

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THE PACIFIC

New Date and Venue: Training on Quality Policies for Pacific National Quality Infrastructure Focal Points and the Strategic Development Workshop for the Pacific Regional Quality Policy (PRQP)

The Pacific Regional Quality Policy (PRQP) is being developed along with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in support of the Pacific Quality Infrastructure (PQI) Initiative. This is a critical regional document to record the regional decisions and strategy required to develop a regionally harmonized Quality Infrastructure in the Pacific.

A two-day training on the UNIDO Quality Policy methodology was planned for 27-28 January 2025 followed by the Strategic Development Workshop from 29-31 January 2025 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. However, Port Vila was struck by a magnitude 7.3 earthquake on 7 December 2024, which prompted PIFS and UNIDO to search for an alternate venue and dates. UNIDO expresses its sympathies to the Government and people of Vanuatu for the loss of life and damage to property caused by this earthquake.

With the input of partners across the Pacific, the Training and Strategic Development Workshop for the PRQP will now be held in Nadi, Fiji from 10-14 March 2025.

These efforts highlight our commitment to strengthening quality infrastructure across the ACP region, supporting sustainable development and enhancing regional competitiveness. Stay tuned for further updates!