Technology and Innovation

Industry 4.0 and the challenges of sustainable urban development will be in focus at the 25th session of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development.

By Yoshua Bengio, Université de Montreal / Mila / IVADO / CIFAR

Public and private investors urged to invest in a green, inclusive, resilient and sustainable future for all.

For developing countries in particular, initiatives to promote new investments in industry can complement COVID-19 recovery efforts and produce structural changes.

Governments need to create pro-investment environments for business models that integrate social, environmental and health imperatives, world investment forum hears.

By Shamika N. Sirimanne and Clovis Freire, UNCTAD

About 64% of developing economies rely on exporting primary goods, and most risk continuing down a path of commodity dependence unless they embrace technology-enabled structural transformation.

Science, technology and innovation solutions hope to boost food security in developing countries as they seek ways to bounce back from COVID-19.

The technology that runs cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin could be used in many applications that contribute to sustainable development, from crop insurance to vaccine supply chains.

UNCTAD’s Technology and Innovation Report 2021 warns, however, of serious implications for development objectives if poor communities are overwhelmed or left behind by the new technological wave.