Brussels, 9–10 October 2025 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) took part in the second edition of the Global Gateway Forum, hosted by the European Commission (EC) Directorate-General for International Partnerships under the leadership of EC President Ursula von der Leyen. This year’s event focused on the need to build deeper and more strategic partnerships in the face of growing geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges, bringing together Heads of State and Government, business leaders, key financial actors and civil society to explore new strategies for sustainable investment and resilient infrastructure.
On behalf of UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller, Christophe Yvetot, UNIDO Representative to the European Union, took part in the signing of the Global Gateway deliverables signatory board. Among the key outcomes was the announcement of further cooperation between the European Union and UNIDO with the “Skills for Decent Employment in the Zambian Mineral Value Chain, with Emphasis on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)” initiative backed by a €9.8 million investment. This initiative is part of the broader Global Gateway approach, strengthening local value chains, enhancing skills development and creating decent jobs in Zambia’s mining sector, particularly for communities engaged in ASM.
Representing UNIDO DG Gerd Müller, Christophe Yvetot joined the Global Gateway deliverables signing, witnessed by EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela
Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships highlighted: “This is a great opportunity for Europe and at this year’s Global Gateway Forum, together with our partners, we are turning that demand into action, identifying new opportunities, expanding our cooperation, and proving that when Europe and its partners work together, we deliver real impact for both sides.”
Christophe Yvetot: “The Global Gateway is a powerful platform to align infrastructure development with industrial growth strategies. UNIDO is proud to contribute to this vision by supporting multi-country industrial programmes that foster regional integration, job creation, and climate resilience.”
With the signing ceremony marking a significant milestone in UNIDO’s engagement at the Forum, the Organization also contributed deeper policy dialogue at the “Scale-Up Session on Global Gateway Flagship Projects”. Gunther Beger, UNIDO’s Managing Director for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation, participated in the session with a particular focus on the Lobito Corridor. This strategic initiative, which spans Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is set to become a catalyst for regional economic integration and sustainable development.
The session addressed the Global Gateway’s comprehensive approach, showcasing how infrastructure investments are being paired with targeted development actions to unlock the full potential of the Lobito Corridor. Key components include the rehabilitation of existing railways in Angola and the DRC, the construction of a new greenfield railway connecting Angola and Zambia and integrated efforts in renewable energy, climate resilience, mineral and agricultural value chains, trade facilitation, and vocational training.
UNIDO emphasized the critical need to align infrastructure development with industrial strategies which foster local value addition, economic diversification and inclusive growth.
UNIDO Managing Director Beger: ‘’The Lobito Corridor provides the ideal platform to seize this opportunity — transforming a transport corridor into an industrial and development corridor, where local value addition becomes the new norm.
To achieve this, three priorities stand out.
First, we must ensure trusted and sustainable production standards. Through the UNIDO Global Alliance for Responsible and Green Minerals, we help establish ESG frameworks and certification systems so that minerals from the corridor meet global standards while supporting local communities and environmental goals.
Second, we must invest in people. The EU-funded “Skills for Decent Employment” project in Zambia — implemented by UNIDO — is already creating Centres of Excellence, formalizing artisanal mining, and improving livelihoods for tens of thousands. Similar efforts in the DRC strengthen industrial skills and expand opportunities for youth and women.
Third, we must align public and private incentives — enabling governments to diversify their economies, investors to achieve reliable returns, and communities to share in the benefits.
This is the true “win-win-win” we aim for — wealth for nations, prosperity for communities, and sustainable partnerships for European and African investors alike.”
UNIDO’s corridor-based industrial development strategy directly supports the EU’s Global Gateway objectives by embedding economic transformation into strategic transport and trade routes. UNIDO is currently supporting the formulation of regional, multi-country industrial programmes across several key areas, including the Central and Northern Corridors, the Lobito Corridor, the Cameroon–Gabon–Equatorial Guinea tri-point special economic zone, the Sikasso–Korhogo–Bobo-Dioulasso special economic zone spanning Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali, the Mano River Union; and the Sahel region. These corridor-driven programmes unlock industrial potential by combining infrastructure development with inclusive and sustainable growth strategies.
Throughout the Forum, UNIDO engaged with key EU officials, development banks, and private sector partners to explore new opportunities for collaboration. Discussions focused on scaling joint efforts in areas like clean energy, digital transformation, agribusiness, and industrial policy.
The Global Gateway Forum reaffirmed the strong and growing partnership UNIDO and the EU, built over decades across 120 countries to support clean industrialization, sustainable supply chains, job creation, climate action and local value addition now also through the Team Europe approach. These efforts are mobilizing investment, engaging the private sector and turning shared priorities into concrete results that deliver lasting impact for individuals, communities and economies worldwide.
