DOHA – The Doha Programme of Action (DPoA) acknowledges the critical importance that science, technology and innovation can have in propelling least developed countries (LDCs) into the Digital Age and concurrently achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), UNIDO together with the United Nations Technology Bank for LDCs (UNTB) showed how the Digital Age can help LDCs to achieve inclusive, gender-equitable and sustainable digital transformation, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Moderating the session, Marco Kamiya, UNIDO Chief of the Division of Digital Transformation and AI set the scene of the discussion by stressing “For LDCs, electricity and energy are conditions for digitalization and productive transformation, and digitalization and frontier technologies are themselves the base for green transition and green manufacturing”

Prominent speakers, including Ratnakar Adhikari, Executive Director of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and Anir Chowdury, Policy Advisor for the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme in Bangladesh provided examples of successful application of digitalization and frontier technology adoption.  The speakers also showed the possibility of these solutions drawing attention to the need to address challenges, such as accessibility, affordability and the lack of enabling policy.

Amidst the potential use of frontier technologies, participants were reminded of the important need to halt any further widening of the digital gap between developing and developed countries. Highlighting the gap, Torbjörn Fredriksson, Head of the E-commerce and Digital Economy Branch at UNCTAD, also drew attention to the importance of accessibility and control of data. The role of the private sector was also discussed with speakers, Rasigan Maharajh, Director of the Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (IERI) of the Tshwane University of Technology and Lacina Koné, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Africa, emphasizing the necessity of commitment from the private sector and partner organizations. With the large gap in development finance, Moncef Soudani, Manager of the Reverse Linkage Division of the Islamic Development Bank, finished by highlighting the importance of innovative financing opportunities and the strengthening of South-South cooperation.

As UNIDO affirms itself as the platform for knowledge and technology transfer, the partnership with the UN Technology bank for LDCs at LDC5 showcases that it is possible to implement gender-sensitive digital solutions that will drive job creation through the success cases presented by its panel of experts.

For further information, please contact:

Marco Kamiya
Chief of Digital Transformation and AI Strategies Division
Email