UNIDO signs memorandum with Shanghai's university to promote sustainable cooperation

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization, or UNIDO, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shanghai's Donghua University on Monday in Vienna, aiming to promote global sustainable cooperation in the textile and apparel industry.

Focusing on the textile and apparel sector, the cooperation will involve various aspects such as technical development, green innovation, talent exchange and intangible cultural heritage protection, with plans to set up a joint institute as a global research and education platform.

With the signing of the MoU as a starting point, the two sides are looking to land on more projects with global influence, together driving the industry's development in a green, intelligent and high-end direction.

Gunther Beger, managing director of the Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation at UNIDO, said at the signing ceremony that the MoU embodies a shared vision of both sides. Through diverse forms such as research, projects, exhibitions and forums, the two sides will take advantage of their expertise to help build a green industrial ecosystem and boost the textile and apparel sector's sustainable growth in developing nations.

Xiang Yanxun, president of Donghua University, noted the partnership will strengthen the university's collaboration with the UNIDO. He pledged deeper ties under the South-South cooperation on green tech, cultural preservation and human resource development, contributing to environmentally sustainable growth and win-win cooperation in the textile and apparel sector.

Zhang Wenjun contributed to this story.