Providing a voice for the voiceless in the Industry 4.0 era

VIENNA, 14 September 2018 – The international community, the United Nations and its specialized agencies in particular, need to work together to ensure that technological progress is accompanied by the necessary structural changes to provide a “voice for the voiceless”. This was one of the points made by Supachai Panitchpakdi, former Director General of the World Trade Organization and Secretary General of UN Conference on Trade and Development, at a special lecture on the topic of Industry 4.0 and structural transformation. The event was organized by the Permanent Mission of Thailand and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at the Vienna International Center.

The event focused on the global challenges brought by the fourth industrial revolution, which will leave no sectors, disciplines and economies untouched. Drawing on his experience, Panitchpakdi highlighted that some of these challenges will be particularly difficult to meet in developing countries.

It was agreed that harnessing the potential of Industry 4.0 for inclusive growth can only be achieved when countries move decisively to coherent, tailor-made industrial policies. Panitchpakdi noted that the challenge for governments is to prepare societies for that rapid change and also urged for approaches that do not stifle innovation.

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For more information:  Ms. Olga Memedovic (O.Memedovic [at] unido.org (O[dot]Memedovic[at]unido[dot]org))