KEY POINTS
- UNIDO and Uruguay signed a five-year agreement to support Industrial Policy 2050, focusing on sustainable industrial development and decarbonisation.
- Uruguay generates 97% of its electricity from renewables, positioning it as a regional leader in green industrialisation.
- The partnership includes South-South collaboration and aims to position Uruguay as a hub for sustainable industrial practices in Latin America.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Government of Uruguay have signed a new five-year cooperation agreement. The deal supports the country’s Industrial Policy 2050 and accelerates sustainable industrial development. The agreement was signed in Montevideo by UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller and Uruguay’s Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Fernanda Cardona. The signing took place during the opening of Industry Week and the official launch of Uruguay’s long-term industrial strategy.
According to a report by Funds for NGOs, Uruguay’s Industrial Policy 2050 provides a roadmap for strengthening productive capacity. It promotes value-added industries, creates quality jobs, and increases competitiveness. The strategy builds on Uruguay’s leadership in renewable energy. Approximately 97% of the country’s electricity comes from renewable sources. This positions Uruguay as a regional leader in green industrialisation.
Under the new Memorandum of Understanding, UNIDO will provide technical assistance and policy support. The focus is on implementing the Industrial Policy 2050. The partnership will promote industrial decarbonisation, advance the circular economy, and strengthen sustainable manufacturing. It will also support evidence-based policymaking through research, technical reports, and policy analysis. Another key area is South-South collaboration. Initiatives such as the SDG 9 Accelerator will help position Uruguay as a regional hub for sharing sustainable industrial development practices across Latin America and the Caribbean.
During his visit, Director General Gerd Müller also met with Uruguay’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mario Lubetkin. They discussed opportunities for expanding regional trade, investment, and industrial cooperation. Uruguay currently holds the rotating presidency of MERCOSUR. Discussions focused on strengthening regional integration through improved market access, quality infrastructure, industrial decarbonisation, and circular economy initiatives. As part of Industry Week, UNIDO is also hosting the Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean 2026 in partnership with the Government of Uruguay. The conference brings together government leaders, private sector representatives, and development partners to discuss industrial policy, innovation, sustainability, and regional economic cooperation.
The strengthened partnership builds on UNIDO’s existing projects in Uruguay. These include programmes supporting renewable energy financing, circular economy initiatives, and climate action through the implementation of the Kigali Amendment. These efforts complement the country’s long-term industrial strategy by promoting clean technologies, resource efficiency, and sustainable economic growth.
Strategic Implications for Investors
For international investors and expats, this agreement signals Uruguay’s commitment to a stable, long-term industrial policy aligned with global sustainability trends. The focus on green industrialisation and renewable energy reinforces Uruguay’s attractiveness as a destination for clean-tech and sustainable manufacturing investments. The partnership also enhances Uruguay’s regional leadership within MERCOSUR, potentially improving market access and trade integration. Investors should monitor the implementation of Industrial Policy 2050 for emerging opportunities in decarbonisation, circular economy, and value-added industries.
