Vienna: The Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Ambassador Kamran Akhtar, has been elected as the President of the 53rd session of the Industrial Development Board, marking the first time Pakistan has secured this role. The Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) congratulated Ambassador Akhtar and acknowledged Pakistan’s active engagement and contributions to the organization.

Ambassador Akhtar, in his acceptance statement, expressed gratitude to the UNIDO Member States for their confidence and reiterated his commitment to advancing industrial development, particularly in developing countries, least developed countries (LDCs), and small island developing states (SIDS).

The election is viewed as a testament to the trust placed in Pakistan by UNIDO Member States. Pakistan maintains a prominent diplomatic presence at UNIDO and is committed to the organization’s mission of inclusive and sustainable industrial development. The country holds one of the largest UNIDO project portfolios, with ongoing and planned initiatives valued at over 350 million euros.

UNIDO has played a significant role in supporting Pakistan’s key sectors, including textiles, leather, fisheries, and renewable energy, while also contributing to climate action and food safety. Projects such as PAIDAR and PAFAID have been instrumental in poverty alleviation and fostering sustainable growth in rural communities.

Later this year, Pakistan plans to launch a new cycle of its Country Partnership Program with UNIDO, which will encompass several projects across various sectors.