Under the patronage of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, conference attracts global experts on sustainable industrial development.
At the 10th International Sustainable Industrial Areas Conference in Egypt, experts from across the globe delved into innovative approaches to foster competitiveness, green job creation, circular economy models, and digital transformation. The event illuminated the path towards sustainable industrial growth and the pursuit of a resilient economy.
The 10th International Conference on Sustainable Industrial Areas (SIA) took place from 6 to 7 June 2023 in Cairo and was inaugurated by the Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry, Ahmed Samir Saleh. His speech marked the beginning of a two-day event focused on strengthening regional industrial competitiveness and economic resilience in the field. The yearly conference serves as a global platform for experts to discuss recent trends and best practices in sustainable industrial development. This year it was organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Egypt in the context of Invest for Jobs in partnership with the World Bank, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and other international organisations.
Building upon the theme of "Strengthening Regional Industrial Competitiveness and Economic Resilience", the SIA Conference brought together experts from various countries to exchange knowledge and insights. This year, it placed particular emphasis on topics such as the just transition to carbon neutrality through circular economy approaches, private sector development, green job creation, and digital transformation.
Egypt had been chosen as the host country for the second time, following its successful hosting of the conference in 2018. The conference welcomed 459 participants, including representatives from industrial parks, industry associations, government agencies, international donor organisations, the private sector, funding institutions, academia, as well as consultants and experts from around the world. In addition to knowledge-sharing sessions, the conference also featured exhibitions by developers from public and private industrial zones, showcasing the services provided in their respective parks. Attending countries included Algeria, Austria, Cambodia, China, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Kosovo, Moldova, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, among others.
© GIZ Egypt // Participants at the 10th SIA conference.
Industrial areas, while crucial for industrialisation and technological advancement, often face criticism for their impact on resource consumption and environmental pollution. The concept of "Sustainable Industrial Areas" addresses these concerns by emphasising the importance of organisational, environmental, economic, and social factors as essential requirements for industrial parks on their path to sustainability. This necessitates management structures that prioritise resource and energy efficiency, environmental protection, and social compatibility.
The 10th SIA conference was designed to yield fruitful discussions, foster partnerships, and contribute to the global pursuit of sustainable industrial growth and economic resilience. Over the course of the event, participants explored innovative strategies and collaborative approaches that drive industrial development while promoting environmental stewardship and social well-being.
For more information about the conference and its outcomes, please visit the official conference website.