The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), established in 1996, is a specialized agency of the United Nations since 1985.  Its mandate is to promote sustainable industrial development in developing countries and economies in transition, and work towards improving living conditions in the world's poorest countries by drawing on its combined global resources and expertise, focusing on three main thematic areas:
 

• Poverty reduction through productive activities
• Trade capacity-building
• Energy and Environment

 
A competitive and environmentally sustainable industry plays a crucial role in accelerating economic growth, thereby reducing poverty and helping to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
 
UNIDO  services are based on two core functions:
 

• as a global forum, generates and disseminates industry-related knowledge;
• as a technical cooperation agency, provides technical support and implement projects.

Today, the Organization is recognized as a highly relevant, specialized and efficient provider of key services in support of the interlinked challenges of reducing poverty through productive activities, promoting the integration of developing countries in global trade through trade capacity building, fostering environmental sustainability in industry, and improving access to energy.

The UNIDO Headquarters sits in Vienna, Austria. The Organization carries out its activities worldwide, comprising 173 Member States. After nearly 40 years operational experience, UNIDO offers a unique package of integrated services:
 

• Industrial Governance and Statistics
• Investment and Technology Promotion
• Industrial Competitiveness and Trade
• Private Sector Development
• Agro-Industries
• Sustainable Energy and Climate Change
• Montreal Protocol
• Environmental Management