Egypt has endorsed a proposal by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to designate 21 April as the International Day for Women in Industry, underscoring the critical role women play in advancing global industrial sectors.
The announcement was made by Dr. Manal Awad, Egypt’s Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, during her address at the 21st session of UNIDO’s General Conference, held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. The conference, running from 23 to 27 November, has brought together representatives from 173 member states under the theme “The Power of Investment and Partnerships to Accelerate the SDGs.”
Awad said Egypt “welcomes all efforts and projects implemented in the country to empower women in industrial fields,” adding that the proposed international day would highlight the contributions and leadership of women across manufacturing and industrial development.
Egypt Urges Greater Focus on Africa
In her remarks, Awad emphasized the need for UNIDO to intensify its support for industrial development in Africa, stressing that such efforts must align with the policies and development agenda of the African Union.
She said Egypt supports calls to launch the Fourth Industrial Development Decade for Africa, a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating industrial growth across the continent. Awad added that Cairo stands ready to provide any support required to enable UNIDO to carry out its mandate in Africa—particularly through triangular cooperation, which she described as offering “significant added value for all interested partners.”
The minister highlighted the importance of coordinated policies, regional partnerships, and investment frameworks that can help African nations achieve sustainable industrial transformation and advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Global Emphasis on Women, Industry, and Sustainable Growth
UNIDO’s push for a dedicated global day for women in industry comes amid international efforts to spotlight gender inclusion in manufacturing, technology, and industrial innovation—sectors where women remain significantly underrepresented.
Egypt’s endorsement signals growing regional commitment to gender equity within industrial development, at a moment when global organizations are stressing the need for inclusive economic growth and diversified industrial ecosystems.
The UNIDO conference continues this week with high-level discussions on partnerships, climate-aligned manufacturing, sustainable supply chains, and investment models aimed at accelerating industrial progress in developing economies.
