Vienna, May 24, 2026 (SUNA) – Sudan renewed its call on the international community to support the Industrial Recovery Programme currently being prepared in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), praising the organization’s continued operations in the country during the war period and underscoring the importance of strengthening cooperation with it to support food security and sustainable agricultural and industrial development. This came in a statement delivered by Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Vienna, Ambassador Magdi Ahmed Mofadal, during an event organized by the Sudanese and European Union missions, co-chairs of the Vienna Friends of Food Security Group, with the participation of the Pakistani mission, on enhancing UNIDO’s role in achieving food security. Ambassador Mofadal called on the international community and relevant organizations to intensify efforts to confront challenges threatening food security, foremost among them conflicts, climate change, desertification, water shortages, and inadequate financing and technology. He noted that Africa remains the region most affected by food insecurity, according to the 2025 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report. He also reviewed a number of development projects currently being implemented in cooperation with UNIDO in the states of Kassala, Red Sea, Al-Gadarif, and River Nile, with funding from the European Union, Italy, Canada, and Japan, calling on international partners to support and expand these projects to include additional states and regions. It is worth noting that the Vienna Friends of Food Security Group was established at Sudan’s initiative in October 2024 with the aim of strengthening the role of international organizations in supporting food security and sustainable development.BH/BH