"The industrial sector is highly affected by the crisis and needs to be part of the response to solve extraordinary levels of unemployment and recession," says UNIDO Director General LI Yong. The UNIDO response to the COVID-19 crisis has three phases: 1) response to the health emergency; 2) provide advice on how to mitigate the impact of the disruption of productive activities and on reactivating production and supply chains; 3) provide development support to Member States in the recovery phase.

In a new report, Shared responsibility, global solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, the United Nations Secretary-General calls on everyone to act together to address this impact and lessen the blow to people.

UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) in Shanghai and the Beijing-based White Rhino Auto company are using unmanned vehicles to transport medical supplies, deliver meals for doctors and patients, and complete other emergency tasks at Wuhan’s Guanggu Field Hospital.