Mutually Beneficial: UN Industrial Development and Africa-China Relations

As the 2024 Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) concludes, new outcome documents pave the way for enhanced collaboration. The “Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era” and the “FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027)” outline ambitious goals for trade, industrialization, and sustainable development. In an interview with CGTN, Dr. Stephen Kargbo from UNIDO discusses the path to realizing these objectives.

Vision for Africa-China Trade and Industrialization

https://video.cgtn.com/news/2024-09-07/Benefitting-together-UN-industrial-development-and-Africa-China-ties-1wGL3ccFGFO/video/wu_1i762glnj111vdgmcvg1e0pdphb/wu_1i762glnj111vdgmcvg1e0pdphb.m3u8

In the aftermath of the summit, Kargbo emphasizes the significance of enhancing trade to drive industrial growth across the African continent. UNIDO aims to facilitate market access for value-added products, fostering a more balanced trade relationship between China and Africa.

Policy Lessons for African Development

https://video.cgtn.com/news/2024-09-07/Benefitting-together-UN-industrial-development-and-Africa-China-ties-1wGL3ccFGFO/video/wu_1i762idb71iq41b0lrhsqho17fub/wu_1i762idb71iq41b0lrhsqho17fub.m3u8

Kargbo advocates for harmonized industrial policies in African countries, drawing insights from China’s development journey. Continuous and coordinated policymaking, aligned with other sectors, is crucial for sustainable growth.

China-Africa UNIDO Center of Excellence

https://video.cgtn.com/news/2024-09-07/Benefitting-together-UN-industrial-development-and-Africa-China-ties-1wGL3ccFGFO/video/wu_1i762hot41sr1rll4uq4q11kqgb/wu_1i762hot41sr1rll4uq4q11kqgb.m3u8

The launch of the China-Africa UNIDO Center of Excellence in Ethiopia signifies deepened collaboration. This initiative focuses on technology-driven solutions in key sectors, reflecting a shared commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.