Tunisia and UNIDO to Strengthen Industrial Cooperation
The Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Abdelhafidh, and the Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Jared Mollard, have agreed to finalize the "Country Partnership Program" to be signed in 2026.
During the 21st session of the UNIDO General Conference, held from November 23 to 27, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the two officials reviewed the prospects for strengthening cooperation between Tunisia and the UN organization and expanding its scope in the industrial sector, according to a statement released on Monday by the ministry.
Background
Tunisia officially submitted its application to join the UNIDO Country Partnership Program at the end of 2024. This move reflects the mutual trust between the two parties and represents significant progress since the signing of the partnership agreement in 1994 and the opening of the organization's representative office in Tunis.
Objectives of the Program
The UNIDO representative in Tunisia indicated in an interview with the TAP Agency that this program aims to support sustainable industrial development through:
- Job creation
- Innovation development
- Industrial infrastructure development
- Investment promotion
A comprehensive approach focused on consultation between the government, private sector, financial institutions, and the United Nations system will be adopted, he added.
Next Steps
The finalization of the Country Partnership Program is expected to be completed in 2026, marking a new era of cooperation between Tunisia and UNIDO. This partnership is expected to have a positive impact on Tunisia's industrial sector, contributing to the country's economic growth and development.
