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What Denmark Gains from UNIDO
1. Benefits to the Danish People of UNIDO Membership
UNIDO’s mandate and work program are fully aligned with the new Danish
development priorities
UNIDO’s action around the world is fully in line with the new priorities of the government of
Denmark to “work
towards meeting the developing countries demand for trade, investments,
and technology so as to promote economic growth […] further the conditions of developing
countries and a sustainable business community that creates jobs and economic prosperity”
as outlined in the 2016 development cooperation budget proposition (p.6).
The policy priorities for foreign aid set by the new ruling coalition (migration issues, women
empowerment, employment generation, private sector involvement) and preferred partner
countries selected (Ethiopia) are very much consistent with UNIDO’s Post-SDG programs. In
fact, UNIDO’s very concrete role in international development has never been more relevant
than today.
UNIDO is the private sector arm of the United Nations, which Denmark can exploit
No other agency has a specialized mandate for private sector development. No other UN
organization provides a holistic set of inclusive and sustainable industrial development
services based on in-house technical expertise. No other agency provides a global and holistic
platform for dialogue and policy-making on industrial issues, or serves as platform for
industrial innovation and technology transfer.
UNIDO provides effective, long-term solutions to cross-border migration problems
Like all advanced European countries, Denmark is currently facing a large flow of migrants
from Middle-Eastern, Asian, and African countries. These movements of populations are
happening in the context of weak global growth, political instability and even civil wars in
some countries. Advances in social science research shows that the lack of job opportunities
and income are often the root causes for social unrest in developing countries, and for social
tensions and mass-migration.
Such problems are raising concerns in Denmark. Beyond increased controls and security, the
sustainable response to cross-border migration problems is the launch of labor-intensive
industries in developing countries. To preserve peace and security in Europe, the international
community should facilitate job-creation programs in Middle-Eastern, Asian, and African
countries.
Denmark can partner with UNIDO to lead the world in designing and implementing a set of
such programs. With targeted interventions to improve food security, job and wealth creation,
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