Addis Ababa — The global community needs to move in a balanced and integrated manner to achieve inclusive sustainable industrial development says United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.

Speaking at the third forum for the Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development ISID in Ethiopia, Ki-moon said that partnerships would be the means to achieve sustainable development goals and inclusive industrial development.

He called for better and stronger global partnerships between different players as well as between public and private sectors "What we face together, we must solve together" he said.

The SG argued that industrialization if well plannedcould bring greater good "When people think of industrialization they think of pollution and bad labor practices, but industrialization can create decent jobs, preserve the environment and eradicate poverty - this is at the heart of inclusive sustainable industrialization." He said.

Speaking at the same event ECA Executive Secretary Carlos Lopes said that although Africa was a latecomer to industrialization and facing many "latecomer challenges" there was a lot that Africa could take advantage of; such as a growing African market, the cost of renewable energies and a demographic dividend. Lopes said that inclusive sustainable industrialization was highly relevant to Africa without which, demographic dividend will not be possible. "Our African position is that inclusive sustainable industrialization is the primary path to structural transformation, we make no apologies for promoting industrial policies." said Lopes.

On her part, African Union Chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said that inclusive sustainable industrialization was central to the eradication of poverty and building "the Africa we want". She said Africa was committed on a path to structural transformation "Africa has no choice but to embark on a transformative economic development to break from its recent past of underdevelopment.

The AU Chair said that Africa was redefining its relationship with its partners through Agenda63." She further called for Africa to take responsibility through commitment to regional integration, building infrastructure and creating conducive environments for African businesses to flourish.

The ISID forum was officially opened by the Prime minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn.

Other high-level speakers included President of Senegal, HE MackySall (represented), UNIDO General Secretary Li Yong, and President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim among others.

The ISID forum was organized by UNIDO in partnership with ECA, the Governments of Ethiopia and Senegal respectively. It was held at the side of the Financing for Development Conference taking place between 13-16 July.