Development Research Branch (DRB)

Speakers emphasized that the SDGs demand an integrated approach at all levels as no domestic policy can be detached from the regional and global environment in which it operates, and stressed that LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDs remain the most vulnerable to these interlinkages and global challenges, such as climate change.

Genetic technologies—the ability to manipulate and transform the properties of cells, seeds, microbes, insects, plants, animals and even humans—are pushing the frontiers of science and offers us new hope for disease control and cure. Genetic technologies are changing the way we produce food, improving crop yield and preventing catastrophic losses from droughts, floods and pests.

The Development Research Branch, in partnership with Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, hosted a unique Development Policy Seminar featuring the inaugural Ivy three-minute thesis competition in New York. Dubbed as IVY3MT2019, the event provided a platform to 14 PhD candidates from Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University to present their PhD dissertation ideas and key messages in 3 minutes, using only one slide.

Data is shaping the future of humanity. The production, distribution and consumption of digital data-the data economy-are driving rapid advances in machine learning, artificial intelligence and automation. Individuals and businesses are using data to reduce search and transaction costs and make informed choices.

Mariangela Parra-Lancourt presented the World Economic and Social Survey 2018: Frontier Technologies for Sustainable Development. The Seminar included presentations from experts from the Universities of Alicante, Maastricht, Georgia State, Indiana and Sussex, the IEEM, the Institute of Technology and Society in Brazil and the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office on the disruptive nature of the 4th industrial revolution for intellectual property, data as the new currency of the 4th industrial revolution, (dis)trust and the data society, copyright, patents, artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

Mr. Harris discussed frontier technologies in general, how these technologies are deeply interconnected and interdependent, as advances in one are likely to impact many others.  He also discussed the challenges in harnessing the benefits of these technologies for all, while giving everyone the opportunity not only to cope with its side-effects, but to thrive. The online panel also discussed the imperative of bridging the technological divide through active national innovation systems.

The Development Research Branch (DRB) organized a High-level Briefing on Frontier Technologies for Sustainable Development on 1 November 2018 at UN Headquarters in New York, moderated by Mr. Elliott Harris, United Nations Chief Economist and Assistant-Secretary-General for Economic Development.

The Development Research Branch (DRB) organized a Development Policy Seminar to present the key findings of the World Economic and Social Survey 2018 to a group of Columbia University PhD candidates. The presentation by the DRB team was followed by a Q&A session during which the participants exchanged views on the process of preparing the Survey, including the identification of the topic, compilation of research data, collaboration with other United Nations entities and outreach.

Senior Economic Affairs Officer Mariangela Parra-Lancourt presented a brief on the World Economic and Social Survey 2018: Frontier Technologies for Sustainable Development at the Informal Meeting of the General Assembly Plenary entitled “Impact of Rapid Technological Change on the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals” today in New York.