Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo — Friday 28th of November 2025.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Felipe Paullier, undertook a high-level visit to UNIDO’s flagship “Projet d’Appui à la Formation et à l’Emploi Qualifié (PAFEQ),” marking a first for a UN Youth portfolio leader to engage directly with a UNIDO skills development initiative. The Provincial Minister of Youth, Georges Kadinga Mulundule, accompanied the mission.

The PAFEQ project, implemented by UNIDO with the support of the Government of the DRC, Sweden, INPP, ITIMA, Volvo Group, SMT Africa and Epiroc, is a strategic public–private development partnership designed to improve the employability and technical capabilities of young Congolese in the increasingly growing field of heavy-equipment and commercial vehicle maintenance — a skillset in high demand in mining, construction and industrial operations.

During his visit to the newly inaugurated technical training workshop of the National Institute for Professional Preparation (INPP), Assistant Secretary-General Paullier underlined the importance of youth-focused technical training as a catalyst for inclusive industrialization:

“I am very pleased to see UNIDO’s commitment to placing young people at the centre of its priorities, particularly through this partnership bringing together government and industry. This is precisely the role of the United Nations: to provide recognised expertise, support national systems and promote globally relevant good-practice solutions,” — Felipe Paullier, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs

A model for partnership-driven industrial development

The visit highlights the significance of partnership-based approaches in the DRC’s industrial transformation. By mobilizing government, industry leaders and development partners, PAFEQ contributes to the professionalization of industrial maintenance, diversifies employment pathways for young people, and supports the long-term development of national value chains.

UNIDO continues to collaborate with national authorities and private-sector partners to scale skills development for industry, strengthen responsible mining supply chains and expand opportunities for decent employment — in line with the Organization’s youth strategy and its mandate for inclusive and sustainable industrial development.