VIENNA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The director-general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Kandeh K. Yumkella, has said that the current global financial and economic turmoil could lead to a new green industrial revolution, but warned that developing countries must not lose out.

    He said that "the crisis is used to launch a new green industrial revolution," and the developing and poor communities "the most afflicted by climate change cannot afford to lose out," according to a press release from the UNIDO on Thursday.

    He stressed that the developing countries would therefore need continued support to make their industries cleaner, to improve their technological know-how, as well as to build policy toward new green industries.

    "Cleaner production and renewable energy, as well as resource- and energy-efficient technologies are set to change forever the relationship we have with our global commons," he noted.

    Yumkella made the remarks on the eve of the World Environment Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 and marked on June 5. This year's World Environment Day features the theme of "Your planet needs you! Unite to combat climate change."

    The UNIDO will focus on a range of major international conferences, including one on energy which will take place in Vienna from June 22 to 24, and one on green industry in Asia, to be held in Manila from Sept. 9 to 11.

Special Report: Fight against Global Warming