Your Excellency, Madam Vice President of the Economic and Social Council,Honourable Ministers,Excellencies,Distinguished Delegates and Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen,
I shall start my remarks introducing the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Harnessing new technologies to achieve the SDGs”. From the Report, you can see that new technologies are transforming how we live and work – from bio-engineering to synthetic biology, to artificial intelligence, data analytics and many other aspects.
It is also imperative that we seize the potential of the rapid technological change to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals while safeguarding against its dangers.
Poverty eradication is, and remains, our top priority. And we should steer technologies to realize those.
The Report of the Secretary-General outlines the views of the United Nations on these important issues.
I will also draw upon the initial findings by the Technology Facilitation Mechanism on the impact of rapid technological change on the achievement of the SDGs.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Emerging technologies have far-reaching impacts on society, the economy, and the environment.
Innovation cycles have shortened, and progress in one cluster of technologies fuels and accelerates progress in others, in a self-reinforcing loop.
Progress in digital technologies thus drives progress in nanotechnology and vice versa. And modern biotechnology would be impossible without the modern computing power that has recently become available.
We see already that innovation in medical technologies, sustainable food systems, and e-learning could help eradicate poverty, and so much more.
It can help us to:
Benefits are not distributed equally, and new technologies can have unanticipated adverse consequences.
While automation, artificial intelligence and robotics promise enhanced economic growth, they could also lead to unemployment or underemployment. There are also concerns about privacy, security, and people’s rights.
However, the potential benefits of new technologies are so great that we cannot afford not to make wise use of them.
Technology policies for sustainable development need to be pursued within the common values, norms and standards agreed upon at the United Nations.
Distinguished Delegates,Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is paramount to prepare for the current and future impacts of technological change.
Inclusive and effective policies are needed, commensurate with the challenges. And institutions themselves need to be fit for purpose and employ new technologies.
Countries will need to rethink and reorganize how they match the supply of skills to the rapidly evolving needs of the job market. This includes life-long learning and a focus on science and engineering.
Stakeholders need to work together to harness technologies to achieve a common good. These efforts need to be guided by commitment to the shared vision of the 2030 Agenda.
The international community needs to work together, and plan and act together, with wisdom and a sense of purpose.
The challenges are large and the changes are rapid, requiring inclusive cooperation across regions.
We need to gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of technological change. This can serve as the basis for well-founded actions and policies with a forward-looking perspective. Cooperation at national and international levels will be essential.
Distinguished Guests,
In addition to the need to foster policy coherence and multi-stakeholder dialogue, we also need to think across stakeholder boundaries.
A broad range of perspectives needs to be presented to arrive at shared understanding and common ground.
The United Nations offers different forums to hear these perspectives and reflect collectively on the actions required.
The United Nations system needs to continue to adapt and support efforts to harness new technologies to achieve a common good.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We must have a solid vision for responsible deployment of new technologies.
The ethical and normative considerations that should guide our thinking need to be grounded by the values contained in the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.
We need to explore how frontier technologies can advance the Sustainable Development Goals and build a better future for all.
We need to discuss ways to ensure that their benefits are promoted, while their risks are mitigated. We must address how we will support those impacted most and how to provide technology access to all.
We must work on these technology issues with the overarching objective to further international peace and security and the enjoyment of human rights.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The ECOSOC thematic dialogue stands out for the space it provides for in-depth analysis and open discussion. It also stands out because of the deep knowledge, expertise and commitment of its participants.
The Secretary-General has called upon us to be focused on the collective questions that technological innovation compels us to face.
He has encouraged the United Nations, Member States, industry, academic and civil society leaders and organizations to prepare adequately to harness, and adapt to, the transformational impact of new and emerging technologies.
I look forward to a productive dialogue.
I thank you for your attention.
I shall start my remarks introducing the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Harnessing new technologies to achieve the SDGs”. From the Report, you can see that new technologies are transforming how we live and work – from bio-engineering to synthetic biology, to artificial intelligence, data analytics and many other aspects.
It is also imperative that we seize the potential of the rapid technological change to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals while safeguarding against its dangers.
Poverty eradication is, and remains, our top priority. And we should steer technologies to realize those.
The Report of the Secretary-General outlines the views of the United Nations on these important issues.
I will also draw upon the initial findings by the Technology Facilitation Mechanism on the impact of rapid technological change on the achievement of the SDGs.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Emerging technologies have far-reaching impacts on society, the economy, and the environment.
Innovation cycles have shortened, and progress in one cluster of technologies fuels and accelerates progress in others, in a self-reinforcing loop.
Progress in digital technologies thus drives progress in nanotechnology and vice versa. And modern biotechnology would be impossible without the modern computing power that has recently become available.
We see already that innovation in medical technologies, sustainable food systems, and e-learning could help eradicate poverty, and so much more.
It can help us to:
- find cures for the most intractable diseases;
- greatly improve resource efficiencies;
- bring quality education to all;
- expand humankind‘s knowledge base;
- enhance inclusion; and
- advance sustainable development, overall.
Benefits are not distributed equally, and new technologies can have unanticipated adverse consequences.
While automation, artificial intelligence and robotics promise enhanced economic growth, they could also lead to unemployment or underemployment. There are also concerns about privacy, security, and people’s rights.
However, the potential benefits of new technologies are so great that we cannot afford not to make wise use of them.
Technology policies for sustainable development need to be pursued within the common values, norms and standards agreed upon at the United Nations.
Distinguished Delegates,Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is paramount to prepare for the current and future impacts of technological change.
Inclusive and effective policies are needed, commensurate with the challenges. And institutions themselves need to be fit for purpose and employ new technologies.
Countries will need to rethink and reorganize how they match the supply of skills to the rapidly evolving needs of the job market. This includes life-long learning and a focus on science and engineering.
Stakeholders need to work together to harness technologies to achieve a common good. These efforts need to be guided by commitment to the shared vision of the 2030 Agenda.
The international community needs to work together, and plan and act together, with wisdom and a sense of purpose.
The challenges are large and the changes are rapid, requiring inclusive cooperation across regions.
We need to gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of technological change. This can serve as the basis for well-founded actions and policies with a forward-looking perspective. Cooperation at national and international levels will be essential.
Distinguished Guests,
In addition to the need to foster policy coherence and multi-stakeholder dialogue, we also need to think across stakeholder boundaries.
A broad range of perspectives needs to be presented to arrive at shared understanding and common ground.
The United Nations offers different forums to hear these perspectives and reflect collectively on the actions required.
The United Nations system needs to continue to adapt and support efforts to harness new technologies to achieve a common good.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We must have a solid vision for responsible deployment of new technologies.
The ethical and normative considerations that should guide our thinking need to be grounded by the values contained in the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.
We need to explore how frontier technologies can advance the Sustainable Development Goals and build a better future for all.
We need to discuss ways to ensure that their benefits are promoted, while their risks are mitigated. We must address how we will support those impacted most and how to provide technology access to all.
We must work on these technology issues with the overarching objective to further international peace and security and the enjoyment of human rights.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The ECOSOC thematic dialogue stands out for the space it provides for in-depth analysis and open discussion. It also stands out because of the deep knowledge, expertise and commitment of its participants.
The Secretary-General has called upon us to be focused on the collective questions that technological innovation compels us to face.
He has encouraged the United Nations, Member States, industry, academic and civil society leaders and organizations to prepare adequately to harness, and adapt to, the transformational impact of new and emerging technologies.
I look forward to a productive dialogue.
I thank you for your attention.
File date:
Thursday, July 19, 2018