The Organization of African Unity proclaimed this day at its 25th session in Addis Ababa in July 1989, before the UN General Assembly formally adopted it in December of that year through resolution 44/237, to be observed annually on November 20. The day draws international attention to the challenges facing industrialization efforts in Africa and calls for greater support from international partners and financial institutions to help African nations build strong industrial bases beyond traditional reliance on exporting unprocessed raw materials. Industrialization is seen as a key driver of job creation, economic diversification, and poverty reduction. African governments and the African Union Commission, in cooperation with the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), organize annual events including economic forums, exhibitions of local industries, and discussions on policies that stimulate industrial investment and value-added manufacturing.