In continuation of the efforts towards mobilizing for Precision Citizen Participation (PCP) in advancement of sustainable development through innovative solutions in Africa and the world, on September 2, 2022, a team of distinguished African delegates led by the President, Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), Dr. ODII Elijah represented Africa joining other dignitaries from around the world at the launch of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) GLOBAL CALL 2022.

At the ceremony which took place during the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2022 in Shanghai, the Managing Director of UNIDO who flew in from the Headquarters in Vienna elaborated on UNIDO's engagement strategies while providing information on the Global Call.

Zou Ciyong, Executive Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, delivering the opening speech during the launch

Following Director Zou's speech, Ms. ZHAO Xiaolei, Director of UNIDO ITPO Shanghai Office provided specific information emphasizing that this Global Call for solutions is open to private sector entities including startups, micro, small, medium, and large companies.

ZHAO Xiaolei, Director of UNIDO ITPO Shanghai Office

Benefits from UNIDO Global Call 2022

  1. Participate in the global award ceremony of UNIDO Global Call in Shanghai - November, 2022
  2. Facilitation of access to global market
  3. Global exposure for access to capital docking
  4. Access to technology cooperation
  5. Overseas expansion etc.
  6. Opportunity to talk about your solution(s) or product(s) on mainstream media with global reach
  7. Opportunity to have your solutions documented in a dedicated UNIDO publication on the Global Call.

Available Categories Include:

- Medical & Health (MH)

- Green Growth (GG)

- Advanced Digital Production (ADP)

- Agriculture & Food (AF)

Stages of Development of the Solution(s):

1. Early-stage technological solutions that are at an advanced R&D and that are ready for implementation, with verified testing data

2. Growth-stage technological solutions, which have already been piloted with verified data at a replicable scale and which have a demonstrated Proof Of Concept (POC)

3. Mature technological solutions that are demonstrably established and that aim at expanding to new markets

Complete your application before the deadline September 20, 2022 (for Start-ups, micro, small and large companies https://cform-mobile.clickpaas.com/#/pages/layout/index?uri=73daf884a07f43b5a53776c20e39eb98 Follow the link at the end of this article for more details on the official web page dedicated to the UNIDO Global call 2022.

Wu Zhiqiang, member of Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and Founder of Shanghai Smart City Development Institute (SSCDI) did courtesies of welcoming delegates with a wholesome address.

The delegates from various countries who represented Africa at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference and who joined the launch of the UNIDO Global Call 2022 shared their experiences and thoughts while encouraging eligible startups and other companies to take advantage of this call to climb to the global stage.

African Delegates Arrive

Mr. NDUNESEOKWU Chibuike (Nigeria)

The UNIDO Global Call 2022 is timely and drawing from a global village perspective, participation in the International AI City Forum in Shanghai came with renewed inspiration on the urgent need for Africa and Africans to holistically embrace the global sustainable development agenda for urban development founded on smart technology - NDUNESEOKWU

Mr. RAMOS Disney (Sao Tome and Principe)

African startups and big companies should not miss applying for the UNIDO Global Call 2022; being on ground at the WAIC, the event helped African participants discover new business models for their community through innovation - RAMOS

Dr. KOMOLAFE Emmanuel (Nigeria)

The UNIDO Global 2022 is capable of launching hardworking people to the limelight; this knowing enriched my experience as one of the delegates representing Africa in the recently concluded 2022 WAIC Conference. Additionally, cases of Chinese cities executing extensive digitalization as smart cities is an inspiration to a dream which we shall bring to pass in African cities in the years ahead the world transits to meta-cities in future - KOMOLAFE

Ms. AKEUBANG Kristal (Cameroon)

As an African “new shanghainese”, it has been an honor for me to attend the WAIC 2022. If the ongoing pandemic has taught us something, it is that our planet is like a “small village”, countries are almost borderless . Therefore, technology cooperation between cities and between countries is a mandatory process for the survival of the whole human society and the UNIDO Global Call promises just that for successful applicants - AKEUBANG

MAHAMAT Ali (Chad)

UNIDO Global Call 2022 is packaged in a way that suits Africans and I hope many benefit from this.It was an immense opportunity to make some connection between the Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD) and the whole world. Those connections will bring Africa to that new digital stage - MAHAMAT

Based on the brief but insightful conversation I had with the Executive Director of UNIDO, Director Zou Ciyong; ideas shared shall fire up hardworking innovators in Africa and other developing countries towards enhancement of quality of lives; all I have to say is "assess your options and apply quickly!" Ms. Zhao Xiaolei, Director of UNIDO ITPO Shanghai and her team, Dr. Yu Jie and our International Team at Ants Plan, which now serves as an Industrial Partner of UNIDO are extending the frontiers of opportunities with the involvement of People-Made Solutions Group Co. Ltd and the Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD)  - Dr. ODII

Dr. YU Jie, Founder, Ants Plan, Shanghai (Industrial Partner to UNIDO ITPO),Vice Chair, Shanghai Youth Federation and Dr. ODII Elijah, President,Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD) Global, Lecturer, University of Nigeria, Nsukka after receiving the UNIDO Industrial Partnership plaque.

Check details and apply before the deadline September 20, 2022 https://www.unido.org/globalcall2022