UNIDO & China launch the International Hydrogen Energy Centre (IHEC)

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the government of China this week launched the International Hydrogen Energy Centre (IHEC). IHEC will offer space for governments and industries to work together to upscale hydrogen technologies, advance research and knowledge dissemination in the field of H2.

The launch and inauguration of the International Hydrogen Energy Centre (IHEC), was held virtually. IHEC will be a key knowledge partner for the UNIDO Global Programme for Green Hydrogen in Industry.

“The new Centre is an important milestone on the road towards placing hydrogen at the heart of sustainable development”, said Director of Energy, Tareq Emtairah on behalf of UNIDO Director General LI Yong in the opening remarks. “IHEC will undertake partnership and technical cooperation activities while disseminating its best practices and knowledge through UNIDO’s extensive network of international and national offices, centres and projects”.

The IHEC aims to achieve technological breakthroughs and play a strategic role in helping develop the global hydrogen energy industry by promoting best practices through south-south, triangular and regional cooperation; by carrying out technology research, development and application; and by supporting capacity building towards enhancing green hydrogen economies.

“UNIDO and the Government of China recognize the crucial role that hydrogen can play in the future energy system”, said UNIDO Senior Technical Advisor and Project Manager LIU Heng. “They understood the urgent need to promote Hydrogen technology to make it more scalable, inclusive and affordable globally. The IHEC will therefore work with different stakeholders, including governments, private sector and SMEs, R&D institutions, business and industry associations”.

The IHEC was inaugurated by ZHANG Yi, Deputy Director General of China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges, Ministry of Commerce (CICETE); JIANG Guangzhi, Deputy Director General of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information; Ma Jian, Deputy Representative of UNIDO Regional Office in Beijing and JIN Qinxian, Director of Beijing Tsinghua Industrial Research and Development Institute.