The 2019 international conference on Sustainable Industrial Areas (SIA) took place from April 8-10, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. The conference was organized by the German development agency (GIZ), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). The conference brought together experts and other stakeholders from all over the world to discuss recent trends, best practices and future development of Sustainable Industrial Areas (SIA). The conference also highlighted challenges and developments in industrial areas.

Furthermore, the conference featured expert presentations, a trade fair, panel discussions and workshops where EP took part through our work in the Apparel, Labour and Cotton markets. EP’s Managing Director, Nebil Kellow, and participants from different organizations such as GIZ, ILO, Ethical Trading Initiative and Politas Consulting took part in the discussion on a number of key issues including labour and employment in sustainable industrial areas. The conference was aimed to promote environmental innovation, job creation and industrialization in Ethiopia. In addition, it provided an excellent atmosphere for the exchange of opinion and discussion.