Uganda has been elected to the Industrial Development Board (IDB) of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for the 2025–2027 term, following elections held during the 21st UNIDO General Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 23–27, 2025.
The IDB, composed of 53 member states, oversees the implementation of UNIDO’s work programme, operational and regular budgets, and advises the General Conference on policy matters, including the appointment of the Director-General.
Uganda’s participation gives it a platform to contribute to shaping global industrial development policies while advancing its domestic industrialization agenda.
Uganda’s delegation was led by Isaac Sebulime, Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, alongside officials from the Uganda Permanent Mission in Vienna and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.
In his address, Ambassador Sebulime praised UNIDO for promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
He highlighted Uganda’s priorities of boosting innovation, enhancing productivity, and adding value to raw materials through secondary and tertiary manufacturing to create export-ready products, aligning closely with UNIDO’s mission.
The General Conference also focused on the socio-economic importance of women in industry, investment and partnership, and youth engagement under the “Generation Future” theme.
Princess Mashael Saud Al-Shalaan, founder of AEON Collective, delivered the keynote address, stressing that gender equality and equity must underpin industrial policy, calling on governments to address barriers faced by women and amplify their voices in decision-making.
The conference included recognition of sustainable industry practices. Nature Bio Foods, an Indian company operating in Uganda, won the UNIDO One World Sustainability Award for Sustainable Supply Chains.
The company works with 16,000 Ugandan farmers producing soybeans, sorghum, chia seeds, and sesame for export.
Amit Singh, the company’s Sustainability Lead, emphasized that sustainability is inseparable from supporting farmers to increase income, reduce cultivation costs, and thrive in global markets.
Uganda is also among five African countries—alongside Kenya, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Tanzania—benefiting from the UNIDO-Italy programme for Advancing Climate-Resilience and Transformation in African Coffee (ACT).
The €15 million initiative aims to improve livelihoods along the coffee value chain, creating better jobs and incomes for farming communities.
Uganda’s election to the IDB strengthens its engagement with international industrial policy, positioning the country to leverage global partnerships, knowledge transfer, and agro-industrialization to accelerate national development while contributing to sustainable industrial growth across Africa.