UNIDO Centre at the World Festival of Youth and Students 2017

October 18, 2017

The Director of the UNIDO Centre in the Russian Federation Mr. Sergey Korotkov took part in the panel discussion “Naturally-based technologies: new opportunities and new challenges” within the topic “The future of science and global education” that took place on 16 October 2017 at the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi, Russia. The discussion was organized by a partner of the UNIDO Centre – National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute». Mr. Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of NRC «Kurchatov Institute», moderated the discussion.

The participants discussed the need for new technological solutions taking into account the ecological imperative in the new reality of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Converging or naturally-based technologies could be such solutions. Based on the principles of integrated waste treatment and recycling, reduced energy use and material intensity, naturally-based technologies only consume renewable resources, simultaneously allowing for creation of new man-made energy deposits and storehouses.

In his presentation Mr. Korotkov described the plans to work in partnership with the NRC «Kurchatov Institute» towards the introduction of naturally-based technologies in industry, and the role of UNIDO in this process.

The Director of UNIDO Centre reminded that on 1 January 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development officially came into force. Over the next fifteen years, with these new Goals that universally apply to all, countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities, tackle climate change and promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization.

The creation of a new industry based on new converging solutions is in line with the principles laid down in the SDGs, aimed at utilizing the full potential of industry contribution to long-term and sustainable development.

Within the framework of implementing the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin PR №1500 of 29 July 2016, the UNIDO Centre and NRC «Kurchatov Institute» signed a Joint Declaration in Moscow on 29 September 2017. The document foresees the development and enhancement of cooperation between the UNIDO Centre with one of the largest scientific centres of Russian Federation – NRC «Kurchatov Institute». The Declaration foresees a series of pilot projects to be carried out by the UNIDO Centre in the field of deployment of convergent technologies in modern industries in the Russian Federation and abroad.

Building on many years of experience in the field of promotion of industrial development, UNIDO possesses the necessary knowledge and competencies with regard to setting-up the best conditions for transition to new technological solutions in industry through development of joint pilot projects in priority sectors and support of their implementation for further dissemination, review of technology transfer options through joint ventures establishment, creation of joint projects between institutions, etc.