United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote, dynamize and accelerate industrial development. The mandate of UNIDO is reflected in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”, but UNIDO’s activities contribute to all the SDGs. UNIDO’s vision is a world without poverty and hunger, where industry drives low-emission economies, improves living standards, and preserves the livable environment for present and future generations, leaving no one behind. UNIDO provides support to its 171 Member States through four mandated functions: technical cooperation; action-oriented research and policy-advisory services; normative standards-related activities; and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer.

UNIDO is currently collaborating with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the government of India in a project approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to combat mosquito vectors at different vulnerable points of the lifecycle and develop a phase out strategy on DDT in the country. Under this project, UNIDO establishes the production of alternatives through a three-pronged approach:

• Reduction and/or elimination of the breeding of mosquitoes (larvae) in bodies of water, through application of Bacillus (Bt) based bio-pesticides, which are very effective against larvae but safe for other aquatic animals and human beings.
• Provision of long-lasting insecticide bed mosquito nets (LLIN) to prevent mosquito bites while people sleep. These nets contain green chemicals such as synthetic pyrethroid (considered green because of limited toxicity and high biodegradability).
• Neem-based pesticides to repel mosquitos at various stages of the life cycle from larvae to fully grown, as well as regulating the mosquitoes’ growth.
• Bio-pesticides and botanical pesticides are entirely biodegradable and environmentally friendly, and can be used as alternatives to DDT.
• The project will be strongly linked to the latest strategies related to Integrated Vector Pest Management (IVPM) in India.

One of the notable socio-economic benefits of the project is the creation of job opportunities in farmer communities, particularly for women and unemployed youth. Other benefits include the low price of bio-botanical pesticides, the pesticides’ very low or lack of toxicity, the biodegradability of alternatves to DDT, and take back agreements with LLIN vendors. New neem plantations will also help to mitigate climate change, land degradation and desertification.

For more information visit: https://www.unido.org/