RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- His Excellency Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, was formally appointed President of the 21st UNIDO General Conference during its opening ceremony in Riyadh. The appointment reflects the Kingdom's increasingly influential role in directing the global industrial development agenda.
The presidency was confirmed through the general conference, demonstrating strong international consensus for Minister Alkhorayef's leadership. The outgoing president officially recognized the decision, declaring to the conference: "Distinguished delegates, we will now proceed to elect a President for the twenty-first session of the General Conference. I hereby put forward His Excellency Bandar Alkhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is my pleasure to declare His Excellency Minister Alkhorayef elected by affirmation."
Accepting the role, Minister Alkhorayef emphasized the critical importance of partnership and innovation in shaping industry's future: "I am deeply honored by the confidence placed in me to serve as President of the twenty-first session of the UNIDO General Conference. I accept this responsibility with a firm commitment to strengthening global industrial cooperation, advancing inclusive and sustainable development, and ensuring that our collective work delivers real impact for all Member States. Together, we will build on the momentum of this session and shape a future where industrial progress supports prosperity, resilience, and opportunity across every region."
As President, Minister Alkhorayef is now tasked with steering high-level negotiations to a successful conclusion at GC21 and ensuring the Riyadh Declaration's objectives are translated into actionable outcomes. His role is to build consensus among Member States on critical issues, from sustainable supply chains to AI governance in industry. This leadership position climaxes with the responsibility to oversee the smooth handover of the presidency at the next General Conference, ensuring the continuity of UNIDO's strategic agenda beyond the Riyadh session.
For more information, please contact:
Ahmed Mansour
M +966 54 186 9849
E ahmed.mansour@omc.com
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef, Elected President of the 21st UNIDO General Conference
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- Hyundai Motor Company launches a global marketing campaign "Next Starts Now," rooted in its commitment to innovation
- Hyundai brings robotics to the FIFA World Cup, deploying Boston Dynamics' Atlas® and Spot® to support tournament operations and enhance fan experiences
- Football star Son Heung‑min is named Hyundai brand ambassador, appearing alongside Boston Dynamics' Atlas in a new campaign spot
- The partnership extends into local communities through youth football camps hosted in four U.S. cities
Visit the Hyundai Media Hub for more content
SEOUL, South Korea and NEW YORK, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company today highlighted its partnership with FIFA, alongside the unveiling of its new global campaign, "Next Starts Now," at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Shaping the Future with "Next Starts Now"
Inspired by Hyundai Motor's 'Progress for Humanity' vision, "Next Starts Now" reflects the Company's commitment to advancing innovation in mobility and robotics. At the 2026 New York International Auto Show, Hyundai Motor named Son Heung-min, captain of South Korea's national football team, as its global brand ambassador ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Hyundai Motor Welcomes Son Heung-min as Global Ambassador
Global football icon, South Korean National Team captain and LAFC forward Son Heung-min embodies the values that define both Hyundai Motor and football—determination, teamwork, and the power to inspire. As a global role model, he will represent the "Next Starts Now" campaign on and off the pitch, appearing alongside Boston Dynamics' Atlas, an advanced humanoid robot, in one of two new campaign spots available across Hyundai Motor's social channels.
"I strongly believe that the future belongs to those who chase it, and that mindset drives me to work harder every day and stay ready for whatever comes next. The belief that 'Next Starts Now' is one that I share with Hyundai Motor, and together, we are playing a role in driving the future forward."
— Son Heung-min, South Korea national team captain and Hyundai Motor Company global ambassador.
"As we continue our 27-year partnership with FIFA, Hyundai Motor is committed to delivering its most ambitious collaboration yet at the largest World Cup ever in 2026. We are creating new and meaningful ways for fans to experience the game by introducing innovative technologies and immersive interactions that will be both memorable and impactful. This year, we are expanding our role on the world stage by bringing advanced robotics— including Atlas and Spot, in collaboration with Boston Dynamics. We're also thrilled to partner with Son Heung-min, a global icon whose inspiring journey reflects our vision of connecting communities through football and beyond." — José Muñoz, President and Chief Executive Officer at Hyundai Motor Company.
"'Next Starts Now' is Hyundai's global campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026, bringing our vision of 'Progress for Humanity' to life. Rather than waiting for the future to unfold, we're bringing it directly to fans. With every match, we see what's next—new talent, fresh energy, and new possibilities—reflecting our commitment to progress and to leading change."
— Sungwon Jee, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company.
Driving Innovation: Hyundai Motor at FIFA World Cup 2026™
As an official FIFA partner for 27 years, Hyundai Motor has supported the tournament through vehicle provision, transporting teams, officials, and media between venues. For the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Hyundai Motor—in collaboration with Boston Dynamics—expands that role by bringing robotics to the World Cup, deploying Atlas and Spot at designated venues to enhance match operations, fan engagement, and safety and efficiency throughout the tournament.
Hyundai Motor will deploy its largest and most advanced mobility fleet to date, working alongside these robots to support seamless operations across tournament venues.
Inspiring the Next Generation Through Football
Hyundai Motor's commitment to supporting the next generation of football goes beyond technology to the young athletes and communities who shape the future of the game. Beginning in April, Hyundai Motor will host youth football camps across the U.S., led by football legends Mia Hamm and Tim Howard.
Camps will be held in four FIFA World Cup 2026™ host cities—Atlanta, Miami, New Jersey, and Los Angeles—for children ages 6 to 12, directly connecting Hyundai Motor's partnership with local communities.
Hyundai Motor, in partnership with FIFA, also launched the global children's drawing contest "Be There With Hyundai," inviting children ages 5 to 12 around the world to submit artwork in support of their favorite national teams. Through the program, Hyundai Motor celebrates young fans as active participants in the future of football. Selected designs will be showcased on official team buses throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026™. For more information, visit Hyundai's Brand Journal.
To watch the "Next Starts Now" campaign spot featuring Atlas and Son Heung-min, visit Hyundai Motor's official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/HyundaiWorldwide.
About Hyundai Motor Company
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision 'Progress for Humanity,' Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of a sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero-emission vehicles with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies.
More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at:
https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/ or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai
Follow our Hyundai Global Newsroom Instagram channel @hyundai_mediahub
About Boston Dynamics
Boston Dynamics is the global leader in developing and deploying highly mobile robots capable of tackling the toughest industrial and safety challenges. Our robots are equipped with advanced mobility, dexterity and intelligence, enabling automation in unstructured or hard-to-traverse and unsafe spaces, from manufacturing facilities, power plants, and construction sites, as well as warehouses and distribution centers. We have three robots in our portfolio: Spot®, a quadruped that conducts industrial inspections for enterprise asset management and keeps people out of harm's way through public safety applications; Stretch®, a box-moving robot currently being deployed with logistics and retail customers; and Atlas®, our electric humanoid platform currently in development. For more information on our company and our technologies, please visit www.bostondynamics.com.
- Hyundai Motor Company launches a global marketing campaign "Next Starts Now," rooted in its commitment to innovation
- Hyundai brings robotics to the FIFA World Cup, deploying Boston Dynamics' Atlas® and Spot® to support tournament operations and enhance fan experiences
- Football star Son Heung‑min is named Hyundai brand ambassador, appearing alongside Boston Dynamics' Atlas in a new campaign spot
- The partnership extends into local communities through youth football camps hosted in four U.S. cities
Visit the Hyundai Media Hub for more content
SEOUL, South Korea and NEW YORK, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company today highlighted its partnership with FIFA, alongside the unveiling of its new global campaign, "Next Starts Now," at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Shaping the Future with "Next Starts Now"
Inspired by Hyundai Motor's 'Progress for Humanity' vision, "Next Starts Now" reflects the Company's commitment to advancing innovation in mobility and robotics. At the 2026 New York International Auto Show, Hyundai Motor named Son Heung-min, captain of South Korea's national football team, as its global brand ambassador ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Hyundai Motor Welcomes Son Heung-min as Global Ambassador
Global football icon, South Korean National Team captain and LAFC forward Son Heung-min embodies the values that define both Hyundai Motor and football—determination, teamwork, and the power to inspire. As a global role model, he will represent the "Next Starts Now" campaign on and off the pitch, appearing alongside Boston Dynamics' Atlas, an advanced humanoid robot, in one of two new campaign spots available across Hyundai Motor's social channels.
"I strongly believe that the future belongs to those who chase it, and that mindset drives me to work harder every day and stay ready for whatever comes next. The belief that 'Next Starts Now' is one that I share with Hyundai Motor, and together, we are playing a role in driving the future forward."
— Son Heung-min, South Korea national team captain and Hyundai Motor Company global ambassador.
"As we continue our 27-year partnership with FIFA, Hyundai Motor is committed to delivering its most ambitious collaboration yet at the largest World Cup ever in 2026. We are creating new and meaningful ways for fans to experience the game by introducing innovative technologies and immersive interactions that will be both memorable and impactful. This year, we are expanding our role on the world stage by bringing advanced robotics— including Atlas and Spot, in collaboration with Boston Dynamics. We're also thrilled to partner with Son Heung-min, a global icon whose inspiring journey reflects our vision of connecting communities through football and beyond." — José Muñoz, President and Chief Executive Officer at Hyundai Motor Company.
"'Next Starts Now' is Hyundai's global campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026, bringing our vision of 'Progress for Humanity' to life. Rather than waiting for the future to unfold, we're bringing it directly to fans. With every match, we see what's next—new talent, fresh energy, and new possibilities—reflecting our commitment to progress and to leading change."
— Sungwon Jee, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company.
Driving Innovation: Hyundai Motor at FIFA World Cup 2026™
As an official FIFA partner for 27 years, Hyundai Motor has supported the tournament through vehicle provision, transporting teams, officials, and media between venues. For the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Hyundai Motor—in collaboration with Boston Dynamics—expands that role by bringing robotics to the World Cup, deploying Atlas and Spot at designated venues to enhance match operations, fan engagement, and safety and efficiency throughout the tournament.
Hyundai Motor will deploy its largest and most advanced mobility fleet to date, working alongside these robots to support seamless operations across tournament venues.
Inspiring the Next Generation Through Football
Hyundai Motor's commitment to supporting the next generation of football goes beyond technology to the young athletes and communities who shape the future of the game. Beginning in April, Hyundai Motor will host youth football camps across the U.S., led by football legends Mia Hamm and Tim Howard.
Camps will be held in four FIFA World Cup 2026™ host cities—Atlanta, Miami, New Jersey, and Los Angeles—for children ages 6 to 12, directly connecting Hyundai Motor's partnership with local communities.
Hyundai Motor, in partnership with FIFA, also launched the global children's drawing contest "Be There With Hyundai," inviting children ages 5 to 12 around the world to submit artwork in support of their favorite national teams. Through the program, Hyundai Motor celebrates young fans as active participants in the future of football. Selected designs will be showcased on official team buses throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026™. For more information, visit Hyundai's Brand Journal.
To watch the "Next Starts Now" campaign spot featuring Atlas and Son Heung-min, visit Hyundai Motor's official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/HyundaiWorldwide.
About Hyundai Motor Company
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision 'Progress for Humanity,' Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of a sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero-emission vehicles with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies.
More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at:
https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/ or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai
Follow our Hyundai Global Newsroom Instagram channel @hyundai_mediahub
About Boston Dynamics
Boston Dynamics is the global leader in developing and deploying highly mobile robots capable of tackling the toughest industrial and safety challenges. Our robots are equipped with advanced mobility, dexterity and intelligence, enabling automation in unstructured or hard-to-traverse and unsafe spaces, from manufacturing facilities, power plants, and construction sites, as well as warehouses and distribution centers. We have three robots in our portfolio: Spot®, a quadruped that conducts industrial inspections for enterprise asset management and keeps people out of harm's way through public safety applications; Stretch®, a box-moving robot currently being deployed with logistics and retail customers; and Atlas®, our electric humanoid platform currently in development. For more information on our company and our technologies, please visit www.bostondynamics.com.
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Hyundai Motor Unveils "Next Starts Now" Campaign, Set to Showcase Robotics at FIFA World Cup 2026™
