Physical Address
Indirizzo: Via Mario Greco 60, Buttigliera Alta, 10090, Torino, Italy
The Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, highlighted the importance for Algeria of its participation in the major international meeting which is the 21st session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and its desire to confirm its position as a key partner on global industrial and energy issues.
The profound economic reforms underway in Algeria under the leadership of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, were exposed by Arkab yesterday during his intervention at this meeting which is being held in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, from November 23 to 27. A meeting which this year takes on an exceptional character with its transformation into “Global Industry Summit – GIS 2025”, it is underlined in a press release from the ministry, adding that the present edition is being held in the presence of ministers and other senior officials and leaders of the main global industrial institutions.
Algeria aims to diversify the national economy by strengthening manufacturing industries, supporting the green and circular economy, developing digitalization and industrial innovation as well as human capital, encouraging investment in start-ups and SMEs and localizing industries with high technological value, Arkab said. He also wanted to highlight the country’s considerable potential in renewable energies, thanks to its geographical location and strong sunshine, which makes it an ideal base for developing a sustainable economy based on clean energy and green hydrogen.
In this context, Arkab presented the major energy and structural projects underway in Algeria, in particular the Southern Hydrogen Corridor project (SoutH2 Corridor), intended for the export of green hydrogen to Europe, the MedLink electrical connection project between Algeria and Italy, as well as the programs for the expansion of renewable energies and the development of green hydrogen and ammonia. He welcomed UNIDO’s proposal to supervise the general secretariat of the SoutH2 Corridor project, due to its strategic importance in supporting the energy transition and strengthening the South–North partnership.
Arkab further stressed that cooperation between Algeria and UNIDO is experiencing growing momentum with the implementation of several projects in the areas of green and circular economy, industrial digital transformation, technology transfer, strengthening the innovation system and support for start-ups and SMEs, as well as the development of technical capacities and industrial skills. He expressed Algeria’s desire to expand cooperation with the Organization in the areas of new and renewable energies, industrial innovation, value chains and improving the investment environment.
The minister also pleaded the cause of African countries. In this sense, he insisted on the importance of aligning UNIDO programs with the priorities of the African continent, particularly in terms of renewable energy, digital transformation, circular economy, skills development and technology transfer. He did not fail to recall the organization by Algeria, last September, of one of the most successful editions of the Intra-African Trade Fair, which benefited from the active participation of UNIDO. He also mentioned the historic initiative of the President of the Republic aimed at allocating one billion dollars to support development projects in neighboring African countries and Algeria’s willingness to host, in December, the fourth edition of the African Start-up Forum in support of entrepreneurship and innovation among young Africans.
The Minister of State reaffirmed Algeria’s support for the positions expressed by the Group of 77 and China, the African Group and the Arab Group, highlighting the central role of UNIDO in supporting industrial development, promoting innovation, skills development, and supporting countries in managing global economic and technological challenges. He expressed Algeria’s satisfaction with the implementation of the Organization’s programs, emphasizing the importance of its financial stability and the adoption of a realistic and effective budget, while calling on Member States to respect their financial contributions.