Networks for Prosperity Initiative partnering globally

In the framework of the Conference and Knowledge fair “Mobilizing Knowledge Networks for Development”, which was organized by the World Bank on 19 and 20 June 2012 in Washington DC, UNIDO presented its Network for Prosperity initiative.

Conference participants met to explore ways to become better providers and connectors of knowledge in a world where the sources of knowledge are increasingly diverse and dispersed. New ways were sought to connect those that have the development knowledge with those that need it. The Conference provided an opportunity for knowledge organizations working in development to learn from one another about their knowledge services, practices, and successes and challenges in providing these services.

At the margins of the conference, UNIDO, together with the World Bank, the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the UN as well as the Embassy of Spain to the UN, hosted a briefing on 21 June 2012 which discussed the importance of the Networks for Prosperity in the context of the new global partnership for development effectiveness, in particular with regard to middle-income countries, and informed about UNIDO’s plans for the next steps in this global initiative. More than 100 representatives from various international financial institutions and diplomatic missions participated in the discussion.

The Networks for Prosperity initiative, led by UNIDO and financed by the Spanish MDG Fund, has the dual goal of (i) enhancing the UN system’s knowledge capabilities in the field of private sector development (PSD) by improving its institutional readiness for delivering policy advice, institutional capacity-building and pilot projects, particularly at country level; and (ii) supporting developing countries in acquiring and adapting PSD-relevant knowledge to their specific contexts and development needs. To achieve this, the initiative focuses on improved methods of global knowledge networking in the field of PSD.

UNIDO was also present with an exhibition stand at the knowledge fair.

For information on the conference, click here.