2 December 2015: Technology can contribute simultaneously to the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainability, according to findings of the UN Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) flagship publication, the ‘Industrial Development Report (IDR) 2016.’ UNIDO launched the IDR during its General Conference, which convened under the theme ‘Sustainable Industrialization for the Shared Prosperity.’

UNIDO’s 16th General Conference took place from 30 November to 4 December 2015, in Vienna, Austria. The Conference discussed: the implementation of the Lima Declaration on inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID); UNIDO’s Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Strategy 2016-2019; UNIDO activities related to the environment, agribusiness, trade, capacity building and job creation; and support to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and cooperation with Middle-income Countries (MICs), among other issues.

UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Mogens Lykketoft, highlighted Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 on ISID, and noted the importance of both structural and technological transformation, including a focus on finding solutions from all actors, a shift from short-term profit maximization to long-term value creation, identification of appropriate public policies, creation of an enabling environment and actions to support cleaner industry and improved resource efficiency.

Writing in the report’s foreword, UNIDO Director General Li Yong says the current trend of technological change “does not guarantee that we will follow a sustainable path” in the future. He explains that while transitioning to high-tech industries can lessen environmental pollution, concerted global action is needed to stimulate the creation and diffusion of environmentally friendly technology and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

IDR 2016, titled ‘The role of technology and innovation in inclusive and sustainable industrial development,’ addresses the conditions required for structural transformation and technological change, with the aim of driving sustained, inclusive growth and avoiding environmental degradation. The report finds that when policymakers facilitate and steer industrialization processes based on sound policies, they can achieve rapid, inclusive and sustainable industrialization.

IDR 2016 includes sections on: manufacturing and structural change; ISID; sustaining economic growth, including through enhancing technological capacities and upgrading technology in industrial clusters and global value chains; promoting social inclusiveness; moving towards green structural transformation; designing and implementing ISID processes; and trends in manufacturing and industrial competitiveness. [UNIDO Press Release] [Conference Website] [UNGA President Statement] [Industrial Development Report 2016]