Riyadh – November 23, 2025
The 21st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) opened today in the capital Riyadh, hosted by the Kingdom for the first time under the name "Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit 2025," jointly organized by UNIDO and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, with the participation of 173 member states.

The conference runs until November 27 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, bringing together government leaders, international organizations, the private sector and innovators under the theme: "The Power of Investment and Partnerships to Accelerate the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals."

At the opening ceremony, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef said Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Industrial Strategy form a roadmap to transform the Kingdom into a global industrial power, noting that the strategy has identified more than 800 industrial investment opportunities through 2035 spanning promising sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, robotics and advanced technologies.

He also noted that women's participation in industry has doubled in less than a decade, alongside a focus on empowering and training youth in AI skills and advanced manufacturing, affirming the Kingdom's commitment to supporting UNIDO's vision for advancing sustainable industrial development globally.

Deputy Minister for Industrial Affairs Engineer Khalil bin Ibrahim bin Salamah delivered the Kingdom's remarks at the summit's launch, noting the alignment between UNIDO's principles of innovation, inclusion and sustainability and the Kingdom's Vision 2030 direction. He said industrial investments in the Kingdom have exceeded SAR 1.5 trillion, while the number of factories has risen to 12,500, forming a solid and growing industrial base.

The first day drew wide international attendance with more than 150 speakers, including 20 ministers and 35 CEOs of global companies, alongside speakers from Arab countries and Gulf Cooperation Council states.

Prominent local and international speakers included Minister of Investment Engineer Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology President Dr. Munir Al-Desouky, UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller, and industry ministers from Indonesia, Morocco, Iraq, Ecuador, Guinea and other countries.

The conference addresses three main themes across its days:

  • Investment and Partnerships Day: focusing on industrial value chains, digital manufacturing and AI-driven innovation
  • Women's Empowerment Day: discussing policies to support women's participation and leadership in industry
  • Future Generation Day: putting youth at the center of industrial dialogue through future-skills programs and the green economy

The Kingdom's hosting of the summit underscores its advanced standing in driving global industrial development and strengthening international partnerships toward an inclusive and sustainable industrial future.