The twenty-first session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) General Conference took place in Riyadh from 23 to 27 November. This year’s event was transformed into the Global Industry Summit (GIS) 2025, serving as a global platform to chart the future of sustainable industry and a roadmap connecting digital transformation, climate action, and economic resilience and to draft a comprehensive industrial agenda across emerging and advanced economies.
The theme of this working summit was “The power of investment and partnerships to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals”, with the aim of exploring major themes for the future of the global economy, from sustainable manufacturing to women and youth empowerment. These core themes were reflected in the summit’s program, as three of the five Conference days specifically focused on investment and partnerships (day one), women empowerment (day two), and future generation (day three).
Organized by UNIDO, INSME’s member, in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the event witnessed the participation of government representatives, international organizations, the private sector, academic institutions, and entrepreneurs from 173 countries. More than 150 speakers took part in its sessions, including 20 ministers and 35 chief executives of leading global companies, with a significant participation from speakers representing Arab countries and GCC states.
Source: UNIDO
