Technology as a Driver of Structural Transformation in the LDCs

UNIDO, jointly with the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Assistance for the Least Developed Countries (EIF) and the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries (UN Technology Bank) will host a digital session “Technology as a Driver of Structural Transformation in the LDCs” to be held at 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm (CET) on 28 July 2021.  

The session will contribute to three major focus areas of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) (LDC5), namely trade, technology and structural transformation. The session is held as part of the Second Meeting of the LDC5 Preparatory Committee (PrepCom 2) as held between 26 and 30 July 2021 virtually.

The COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of agility and of harnessing the power of technology. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and drones can help enterprises in LDCs to enhance their productivity and competitiveness, and to move up the value chain ladder in agriculture, industry and the services sector. In the coming decade, we need to ensure that technology is harvested appropriately as a driver of structural transformation in the LDCs.

Similarly, digital trade – in both goods and services - enhances the opportunity for small  and medium sized enterprises to participate in global trade, and FinTech can help enhance their financial inclusion. By supporting traceability and trade facilitation, blockchain technology can help to enhance the transparency and trustworthiness of trade transactions at speed. Technology in agriculture can revolutionize systems and help in adjusting to the impacts of climate change.

Join us in engaging with experts and practitioners from global support initiatives and LDCs who will explore modes through which the LDCs can achieve structural transformation by harnessing the power of technology and trade, and also outline how the LDCs can best access capacity building initiatives in technology for trade.

Register here.

Visit the event page here.

For further information contact dta [at] unido.org (dta[at]unido[dot]org)