The Ethiopian Leather Industries Association (ELIA) invited UNIDO to hold the 17th meeting of the Leather Panel in Addis Ababa. The meeting was organized also in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry from 18 to 21 January 2010.

The meeting focused mainly on discussing globally relevant papers and topics and provided guidance for UNIDO’s future activities. Reports on the Future Trends and Development in the Leather Industries, Professional Education and Training in the Leather-based Industries, Review of some EU normative documents and legislation and their relevance for the tanning industry in developing countries – Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), Best Available Techniques Reference Document (BREF).