The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) participated in the WorldSkills Conference 2026 in Shanghai, China, highlighting industry partnerships in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The organization also presented preliminary findings on skills development initiatives across Africa.
Held under the theme “Shaping a Skills-Driven Future,” the conference brought together representatives from 120 countries, including 40 ministers and deputy ministers responsible for TVET. The accompanying 48th WorldSkills Competition featured more than 1,400 competitors from over 70 countries and regions across 64 skills.
Juan Pablo Dávila, Head of UNIDO’s Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and Fair Production Unit, presented the organization’s Public-Private Development Partnership (PPDP) model. The approach brings together industry, training providers, governments and development partners to develop industry-relevant skills and strengthen demand-driven training systems.
“Industrial transformation depends on people having the skills to work with new technologies and contribute to changing value chains. PPDPs mobilize private and public resources to shape industry-aligned training, share expertise and connect learning with real employment opportunities,” Dávila said.
UNIDO also presented preliminary findings from the Africa Skills Landscape initiative, which mapped 177 externally supported TVET initiatives implemented by 37 entities across 54 African countries. The findings indicate that support is primarily focused on strengthening training delivery, institutional capacity and infrastructure. The initiative provides data at regional, national and implementing-entity levels to support coordination and identify gaps.
UNIDO’s additional activities included participation in the Skills CoLab, featuring 26 entrepreneurial solutions from 20 countries, and discussions on investment and skills development through its Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Shanghai. The organization’s cooperation with WorldSkills International is supported by a Joint Declaration signed in October 2025 to advance inclusive, sustainable and industry-relevant skills development.
