This week, in the context of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and logistics giant DHL Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking what DHL calls a “significant step towards fostering collaboration and innovation.”
At COP28, the event included a partnership signing ceremony as well as the launch of a global innovation challenge, “Innovation for Food Systems Transformation,” presented by DHL Group and UNIDO.
The goal of the alliance is to improve food preservation, decrease food waste in African markets, and increase producers’ access to international markets. In the words of DHL and UNIDO, the new partnership strives to “transform agribusiness and climate-related initiatives.”
“This partnership with DHL Group holds immense potential in addressing food security and establishing sustainable food supply chains,” said Gunther Beger, Managing Director of UNIDO’s Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation.
“Uniting industry expertise and innovative solutions is paramount in tackling global challenges and nurturing a more sustainable future,” Beger added.
The challenge, UNIDO and DHL explain in a joint statement, serves as a beacon — “seeking out trailblazing technology providers who have designed sustainable solutions within agribusiness supply chains and logistics.”
These solutions should be formulated to tackle obstacles in the “first-mile” supply chain, improve the quality of life for farmers, and promote the implementation of a waste-free sustainable food system.
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With a focus on clean technology, perishable logistics, new sustainable business models, smart solutions, and sustainable packaging and containers, the collaboration highlights a deep interest in many sectors that generate innovative solutions at the intersection of logistics and sustainability.
“DHL Group and UNIDO join hands, committed to minimizing food waste and shifting the paradigms of agriculture. I am proud to sign this Memorandum of Understanding on DHL’s behalf as I believe that this partnership is a beacon of hope,” said DHL’s Head of Trade Facilitation Steven Pope, adding:
“We continue our way towards a more sustainable and equitable global food system, with the aim of uplifting the livelihoods of farmers and ensuring that they will see sustainable benefits in this transformative journey towards a better, more resilient agricultural future.”
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of Impakter.com — Featured Photo Credit: Oleksandr Ryzhkov.
