ABU DHABI, 3 November 2019 – On the sidelines of the 18th session of the General Conference of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), an official ceremony on the appointment of Ms. Elisabetta Illy as International UNIDO Goodwill Ambassador took place.

LI Yong, Director General of UNIDO, expressed his gratitude to Elisabetta Illy for accepting her new role as International Goodwill Ambassador and for her commitment to support UNIDO in emphasizing the importance of creative industries and food security and in promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID).

Elisabetta Illy is a photographer and journalist. She founded a photo agency - Picture of Change - to share stories of positive change from all over the world and to raise awareness about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

During the EXPO of the 18th General Conference, Ms. Illy’s work was presented in a photo exhibition titled “Transforming needle and thread into women empowerment tools”, revealing the power of tradition of Kalash people in Pakistan – a project which has also been supported by UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) in Italy.

Ms. Illy will be encouraged to assist UNIDO through selected advocacy and policy advisory functions to tackle the challenges linked to manufacturing procedures, food production and inclusivity and will participate in numerous events to help UNIDO highlight the importance of ISID and share its vision and values.

In UNIDO, Ms. Illy has found a partner that shares her approach and works towards the same goals - industrial development and economic growth of developing countries.

The ceremony ended with Elisabetta Illy’s acceptance speech, in which she affirmed her support towards the Organization’s vision and mandate. Ms. Illy is looking forward to continue strengthening the cooperation with UNIDO in the future.