Riyadh hosts UNIDO’s 21st General Conference as Saudi Arabia pushes industrial transformation

The 21st General Conference of the UN Industrial Development Organization opened in Riyadh on Saturday, bringing together delegations from 173 countries for the Global Industry Summit 2025. The five-day event, organized by UNIDO in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, is taking place at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center from Nov. 23 to 27, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The impact of the slowdown in major global economies will be “smaller” on the UAE’s growth and exports due to its relatively less exposure to those markets compared to other markets across the region, the World Bank said.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, speaking at the opening session, said the Kingdom sees its partnership with UNIDO as a key part of its industrial transition and international cooperation agenda. He stressed that the country is committed to supporting UNIDO’s goal of building a more equitable economic future through sustainable industrial development.

Alkhorayef pointed to the Kingdom’s progress under Vision 2030, highlighting the automotive sector as a sign of rapid diversification. He said Saudi Arabia is on track to develop an automotive industry expected to contribute $24 billion to non-oil GDP by 2030 and create more than 30,000 jobs. Parallel growth is under way in electric vehicles, robotics and energy storage, supported by what he described as “values of responsibility and cooperation.”

The minister said Saudi Arabia’s industrial expansion is backed by rising investment commitments, with a current project pipeline exceeding $500 billion. He reaffirmed plans to build an industrial base of 36,000 factories by 2035, noting that national strategies for mining, exports and industrial development are opening new opportunities. More than 800 industrial prospects have been identified across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, renewables and downstream chemicals.

Alkhorayef also highlighted advances in human capital, noting a sharp rise in female participation in the manufacturing workforce over the past decade. With 60 percent of the Saudi population under 35, he said the country is prioritizing youth skills development through training platforms including the National Industrial Academy and the National Automotive and Vehicle Academy.

Structured around the theme “The power of investment and partnerships to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals,” the conference will address investment models, industrial innovation and shifts in global value chains. More than 150 speakers, including 20 ministers and 35 chief executives, are participating.

Speakers include Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, KACST President Munir Eldesouki, Saudi Ports Authority President Suliman Almazroua, and several international officials from Indonesia, Ecuador, Iraq, Morocco, Austria and Guinea.

The agenda features dedicated days focusing on partnerships, women’s empowerment and the future generation. During discussions on women in industry, Vice Minister Khalil bin Ibrahim bin Salamah said Saudi women now account for over 40 percent of the industrial workforce in the SME sector, with rising representation in leadership roles.