NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 17- The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has affirmed that information and communication technologies (ICTs) can help accelerate progress towards the attainment of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at MWC24 Shanghai, Zhao Xiaolei, Head of UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPO), said digital transformation has a greater potential of creating value through job creation, improving economies, and creating harmonious societies and friendly environments.
“At UNIDO, we are creating an industry competitive index – under the UN 2030 agenda which will cover 169 factors, out of which over130 factors could be affected directly or indirectly by digital transformation,” said Xiaolei, Head of UNIDO.
Xiaolei underscored the importance of creating symbiotic partnerships along industry and supply chains to bring together key players, including policymakers.
She revealed that UNIDO has partnered with Huawei, which has been at the forefront in fostering digital transformation to enhance technology adoption towards achieving the SDGs within the stipulated time frame.
“Huawei is at the centre of the supply chain and we’ve been working together to promote green industry transformation and also digital industry transformation. For this, we look at the infrastructures that are reliable, stable, open, accessible, faster, safe, and greener,” added Xiaolei, Head of UNIDO.
The Head of UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Offices Boss highlighted the need for technological upgrade critical in speeding up industrial revolution, innovations, and talent developments, which will in turn accelerate the achievement of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Last year, UNIDO, in partnership with Huawei, launched the Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Industry and Manufacturing (AIM-Global) at the World AI Conference (WAIC) held in Shanghai, China.
The initiative aims to foster responsible, sustainable, and inclusive application of artificial intelligence in the industrial sector.
AIM-Global is a groundbreaking collaboration platform designed to bring together governments, international organisations, and the private sector and industry leaders who recognise the transformative potential of AI in driving inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
