Industrial development

UNIDO is a specialised agency within the United Nations dedicated to supporting industrial development around the world.

It was established in Vienna in 1966, and has been operating as specialised agency of the United Nations since 2009.

Just and accelerated development

UNIDO aims to promote just and accelerated development, acting as a source of research, advice, technical assistance and normative standards for member states seeking to advance their industrial base, particularly those states known as LDCs.

General Conference and Programme and Budget Committee

The most significant decision-making organ of the organisation is its General Conference, which meets once per year and fulfils functions such as the approval of the annual budget and the election of the Director General.

UNIDO also convenes the annual Programme and Budget Committee to discuss strategic and financial matters, and the Industrial Development Board to advise on policy. In 2024 alone, UNIDO delivered industrial development programmes worth 663 million US dollars.

Ireland's participation

Development cooperation remains a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy. Ireland has been a full member of UNIDO since 1984, when the Constitution of UNIDO was ratified by Dáil Éireann.

We welcome UNIDO’s ambition to further its credentials as a norm setter in industrial development policy through its ‘Mission 2050’ document, and we are strong supporters of UNIDO’s efforts to keep sustainability at the heart of industrial development promotion.

Ireland will conclude its latest term on the Industrial Development Board in 2025. Our assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026 will provide an opportunity to play an increasingly prominent role in coordinating EU partners’ engagement with UNIDO.