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🎉 First UNIDO Gender Lens Investing Training in the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
The UNIDO Gender Lens Investing training in the Dominican Republic was held between 17 and 21 March, and brought together investment promotion agencies, policymakers, and private sector leaders to explore gender-smart investments. Participants gained hands-on insights into integrating gender perspectives into policies, supporting women-led businesses, and fostering an inclusive investment climate. Through expert discussions, interactive workshops, and networking, the training laid the groundwork for stronger partnerships and lasting impact on economic growth and social development.
🌐 UNIDO at the 4th Africa Quality Policy Council (AQPC) Meeting 🌍
From 5-6 March 2025, UNIDO participated in the 4th Africa Quality Policy Council (AQPC) meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As an observer member of the AQPC, UNIDO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Africa’s Quality Infrastructure (QI) development through the ACP QI and ATCMA programmes.
African SEZs must diversify into high-value industries to stay competitive. While sectors like agro-processing and garments remain strong, limited investment in ICT, pharmaceuticals, and automotive manufacturing highlights structural challenges. According to the UNIDO-AEZO Report, barriers such as weak infrastructure, digital skill gaps, and inefficient supply chains hinder growth. However, initiatives like AfCFTA and the EU’s Global Gateway offer opportunities to enhance trade, improve connectivity, and attract investment in high-tech and green industries. With targeted reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and workforce development, SEZs can unlock new opportunities and drive long-term industrial growth.
📝 Policy Brief: Who Pays for Sustainability-Driven Regulations? 💸
International trade fuels economic growth but also raises environmental and human rights concerns. As voluntary pledges prove insufficient, countries are introducing sustainability-driven regulations with mandatory requirements. While these rules promote responsible trade, compliance costs pose challenges, especially for industrializing countries. A new UNIDO policy brief, building on insights from the “Who Pays” event, explores these issues and calls for a fairer distribution of costs and benefits to ensure a just and sustainable transition.
UNIDO, in partnership with the Economic Development Board of Mauritius, hosted a knowledge exchange webinar under the ACP Business-Friendly Programme to strengthen intra-African investment. The session highlighted UNIDO’s Invest in ACP Platform, which profiles over 840 investment opportunities, Mauritius’ role as a financial hub with $80B in investment stocks, and the importance of agro-industry, manufacturing, and SEZs for industrial transformation. Discussions also emphasized the Finance for Development (FF4D) framework, calling for targeted financial instruments to bridge the SDG financing gap. Read the full press release and watch the webinar recording for key insights.
UNIDO launched its latest methodological brochure on Investment Facilitation and FDI Intelligence Support, developed under the ACP Business-Friendly Programme and funded by the EU and OACPS. This resource is designed to help developing countries and investment promotion institutions strengthen their investment facilitation ecosystems through data-driven insights and strategic guidance. By identifying priority sectors and connecting with the right investors, UNIDO supports public and private stakeholders in fostering long-term, sustainable growth. Government agencies, development partners, and donors can explore how UNIDO enhances investment retention and streamlines investor engagement.
Strategic Meeting between UNIDO and the Ethiopian Investment Commission
UNIDO and the Ethiopian Investment Commission stressed the need to enhance investment facilitation, aftercare, and joint efforts in promoting Investment Opportunity Profiles, lead generation, and investor targeting to attract more FDIs.
UNIDO at the High-Level Dialogue on "Shaping the Future: Advancing Private Sector Development for a Resilient and Prosperous OACPS"
UNIDO participated in the High-Level Dialogue on Private Sector Development in OACPS, held on 13 February 2025, and organized by the OACPS Secretariat in partnership with the European Union. The event opened with a panel discussion outlining key priorities for fostering resilience and economic growth. Through UNIDO Invest in ACP, we continue to accelerate sustainable industrialization, drive innovation, and unlock investment opportunities across OACPS regions. Attendees had the opportunity to visit our booth and learn more about UNIDO’s efforts in advancing private sector development.
Development of National Standardisation Strategies
Stakeholder Engagement – National Standardisation Strategy Suriname (March 10, 2025)
The ACP QI Programme, in partnership with CROSQ, continues to strengthen National Standardisation Strategies (NSS) across the Caribbean. In March 2025, stakeholder engagement sessions took place in Suriname and Saint Kitts & Nevis, bringing together over 60 public and private sector representatives to validate research findings and shape strategic frameworks. These discussions ensure NSS development aligns with national priorities and supports robust quality infrastructure. The next consultations will take place in Dominica, The Bahamas, and Belize between March 24 and April 4, further advancing the region’s commitment to standardisation.
Certification of Public and Private Sector Agencies
Certification Expert Rodlyn Semple with a representative from Elles Homestyle and the Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Standards
The ACP QI Programme is supporting small businesses in the Caribbean to achieve international certification. In Antigua & Barbuda, Ellz Homestyle, a local SME producing coconut and cocoa products, underwent an ISO 9001:2015 and HACCP audit in March 2025 to identify areas for improvement ahead of certification. The programme will provide technical support to help address gaps, ensuring compliance with global standards. A similar audit is scheduled for Tan Bun, a chocolatier in Suriname, during the week of March 31, reinforcing the region’s commitment to quality and market competitiveness.
Development of National Metrology Acts
Strengthening legal metrology in the Caribbean is a key priority of the ACP QI Programme. From March 24-27, 2025, expert Ramon Madrinan will present technical research findings to stakeholders in Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, and Jamaica. These discussions will refine the development of national metrology acts, ensuring legal frameworks align with national needs and support trade, consumer protection, and industrial growth. This initiative is a vital step toward building a strong, reliable, and internationally recognized quality infrastructure in the region.
Supporting the alignment of National Quality Policies (NQP) with Africa Quality Policy (AQP)
Participants at the 4th Africa Quality Policy Council Meeting
UNIDO's Programme Chief Technical Advisor, Mr. Aka Kouassi, and Mr. Kamara Mehefolo, UNIDO QI Lead Expert, were honoured to be a part of the 4th Africa Quality Policy Council Meeting that was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from the 5th to the 6th of March 2025 with the following main objectives:
a) Present the status of the implementation of UNIDO regional and continental QI activities in Africa (ACP QI and ATCMA programmes).
b) Meet and exchange with the main African Quality Infrastructure partners on the implementation of ongoing activities of the ACP QIP.
c) Introduce the new QILE to main technical counterparts of the ACP QIP.
The recruitment of four national experts was launched, who would be working alongside an international expert, to align the Uganda, Botswana, Ghana and Senegal National Quality Policies with the Africa Quality Policy. This alignment activity is set to begin in April and run through to October 2025.
Strengthening Quality Infrastructure in Africa: A Key Meeting with PAQI Chair
The PAQI Chair, Dr Henry Rotich, the QILE and the PA.
The ACP QI team had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Henry Rotich, Chair of PAQI, on March 24th at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Headquarters. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the progress of the ACP QI Program, highlighting key initiatives such as:
· Support for 32 Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs)
· Alignment of four National Quality Policies (NQPs) with the African Quality Policy (AQP)
· Integration of Quality Infrastructure (QI) into education
· Desk review related to TBT/SPS platform relevant for Africa
· Digitalization of standards development process at ARSO
· Program support to AFRIMET in the framework of the capacity building of calibration labs.
Dr. Rotich reaffirmed his commitment to the program, advocating for the swift finalization of critical documents to accelerate implementation. He also emphasized the importance of fostering a strong quality culture across Africa, ensuring that both exports and imports meet high standards.
Additionally, the discussion underscored the role of Interlaboratory Comparisons in enhancing testing methods across laboratories, further strengthening the region’s quality assurance framework.
Dr. Rotich expressed appreciation for the program’s impact, and as UNIDO, we look forward to continued collaboration in building a robust Quality Infrastructure across the continent.
Support to Conformity Assessment Bodies to Develop Quality Management Systems
With the support of AFRAC, the project team successfully identified 32 Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) to receive assistance in developing quality management systems. These CABs comprise 10 testing laboratories, 7 calibration laboratories, 7 inspection bodies, and 8 certification bodies. Currently, the recruitment of 32 national experts is underway to conduct gap analysis, which will ultimately refine the selection of ten well-advanced CABs that will receive comprehensive support in establishing their quality management systems for accreditation.
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) continues its efforts to enhance regional Quality Infrastructure through the Pacific Quality Infrastructure (PQI-I) initiative, launched in 2019. In collaboration with UNIDO under the ACP Quality Infrastructure Programme, PQI-I supports standardisation, metrology, and conformity assessment to boost trade and economic growth in the Pacific. As part of these efforts, UNIDO’s project team, hosted by PIFS since April 2023, provides ongoing coordination, technical, and administrative support to ensure the seamless implementation of PQI activities.
UNIDO at the PIFS 2025 All Staff Retreat
Mr. Jone
PIFS hosted its annual All Staff Retreat on March 6-7, 2025, at the Shangri-La Fijian Resort in Fiji under the theme "Grounded in Purpose, Rising through Change." The retreat provided a platform to assess the progress of 2024 initiatives and outline strategic priorities for 2025. UNIDO’s ACP QI Project Assistant, alongside PQI partners, contributed to discussions on strengthening PQI, including finalizing the Pacific Regional Quality Policy (PRQP), enhancing the PQI portal, and advancing value chain standards for products like Kava and frozen cassava.
Key Priorities for 2025
Looking ahead, PQI-I will focus on securing policy approvals, expanding trade measurement capabilities, and advancing laboratory accreditation across the Pacific. Key activities include hosting annual PISC, PITC, and PIMC committee meetings, developing model metrology legislation, and delivering essential trade measurement equipment. Strengthening PQI is essential for supporting regional value chains, ensuring product quality, and fostering economic growth.
The Role of UNIDO at PIFS
UNIDO’s advocacy for PQI at the PIFS retreat underscored the programme’s significance, with notable recognition from PIFS leadership. The presence of UNIDO and EU funding partners alongside Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Germany reinforced the importance of international collaboration. UNIDO’s Pacific Advisor, Jone Tikoicolo, was acknowledged for his contributions, further strengthening the organisation’s role in supporting PQI development.
Subscribe for updates about the UNIDO-led meso-level component of the ACP Business-Friendly Programme, funded by the European Union & the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS).
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