Competitiveness and climate change – UNIDO hosts international conference in Albania
Tirana, Albania, May 28, 2024 – The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Faculty of Economics and Agribusiness at the Agriculture University of Tirana, organized an International Conference on Competitiveness and Climate Change – implications and challenges for the agrifood sector. This event served as a crucial platform to discuss the complexity of competitiveness in the context of climate change and sustainable development, touching upon multiple factors such as governance, quality infrastructure, sustainable value chains and related private sector needs. The conference builds on the study conducted and launched on the occasion: the Climate Change Impact on Agrifood Sector with Focus on Quality Report and the Navigating Food Quality in the Face of Climate Change Policy Brief
With the global community increasingly recognizing the urgency of climate action, this international conference brought together over 100 participants from a diverse spectrum of stakeholders, including government officials, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), international corporations, policymakers, experts, Quality Infrastructure institutions, food safety authorities, academia, leading associations, consumers, farmers, manufacturers, and private sector leaders. The event fostered a dynamic convergence of perspectives and expertise.
Against the backdrop of escalating climate-related threats, the conference serves as a timely call for collective action. By fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships, it aims to catalyze transformative solutions that not only safeguard the agrifood sector but also advance broader sustainability goals. From innovative agricultural practices to resilient supply chains and robust regulatory frameworks, participants explored a myriad of avenues for building a more sustainable economy resilient to the impacts of climate change.
The conference was organized by the UNIDO as part of the Global Quality and Standards Program (GQSP) Albania, a far-reaching initiative supporting 14 countries worldwide, including Albania. Funded by Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the GQSP program focuses on the importance of enhancing local production capabilities and elevating standards for the benefit of people, their prosperity and environmental protection.
GQSP Albania factsheet
For further information please contact:
Dorina Nati (d.nati [at] unido.org)
