Riyadh, 24 November 2025 — At the twenty first session of the UNIDO General Conference in Riyadh, Member States and partners responded to the Global Call for the establishment of AIM Global Centres of Excellence (CoEs). The initiative was first launched at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai in September 2025. It aims to accelerate progress in intelligent manufacturing, robotics, digital transformation and innovation worldwide.

During the high-level session, UNIDO underscored its commitment to supporting countries in building national Centres of Excellence and Open Innovation Programmes. Countries newly expressing interest in the initiative include Ukraine, Barbados, China, Kenya and India. Existing support commitments were reaffirmed for Serbia, Ethiopia, Panama, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Belarus. This commitment was further reinforced on the sidelines of the session with the signing of a Trust Fund Agreement with the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute for UNIDO’s AIM Centre of Excellence.

“The challenges we face today are too vast and interconnected for any one nation to tackle alone. Through the AIM Global Alliance, we are turning ambition into action, delivering tangible AI solutions, establishing Centres of Excellence, and building global partnerships that ensure no country is left behind in the digital transformation,” said Ciyong Zou, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director, UNIDO.

The session also highlighted the critical role of the private sector in advancing UNIDO’s AI, innovation and digital transformation agenda. Companies and organizations such as NTT DATA, the GSMA Foundation, WAITRO, Robotera, IBM and the World Economic Forum pledged to contribute expertise, mentorship and funding to strengthen national innovation ecosystems.

UNIDO described the event as a “new moment for global cooperation,” emphasizing the importance of system-level collaboration on intelligent manufacturing, robotics, and digital innovation through the AIM Global Alliance.

“The commitments made today in Riyadh build on the momentum generated in Shanghai. The AIM Global Alliance is poised to become a flagship initiative, helping countries navigate the next wave of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and industrial innovation,” said Jason Slater, Chief Digital, AI, and Innovation Officer.

About AIM Global:

The AIM Global Alliance brings together Member States, industry partners and innovation leaders to establish national Centres of Excellence and Open Innovation Programmes, driving responsible and inclusive industrial and digital transformation worldwide.

For more information contact: 

Jason Slater, Chief Digital, AI, and Innovation Officer

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