Addis Ababa: Ethiopia's Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and the United Nations industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have been exploring opportunities for comprehensive collaboration on critical issues.Women and Social Affairs Minister Ergogie Tesfsye bade a farewell to adieu Aurelia Patrizia, the outgoing UNIDO Representative and Director of the Regional Hub in Ethiopia.During the discussions, Ergogie highlighted Ethiopia's progress in social development over the past five years.The two side's explored opportunities for comprehensive collaboration on critical issues such as illegal migration, support for returnees, psychosocial assistance in conflict-affected areas, women worker safety and health in industry, women's business expos, and gender-based violence.The minister also requested that UNIDO work on an encompassing package of projects focused on women's empowerment, in partnership with the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs.On her part, the outgoing UNIDO Representative and Direct or of the Regional Hub in Ethiopia Aurelia Patrizia affirmed UNIDO's commitment to strengthening the existing collaboration between the two institutions.The meeting underscored the Ethiopian government's focus on social development and its willingness to work closely with international organizations like UNIDO to address pressing challenges facing women and vulnerable populations, according to Ministry of Women and Social Affairs.Source: Ethiopian News Agency