2023 ZGC International Technology Trade Fair

A recording of these remarks can be found on YouTube

Excellencies, 

Distinguished Guests, 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I wish to congratulate the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Association for Science and Technology, the Beijing Municipal People’s Government, and the other official organizers, for organizing today’s International Technology Trade Fair 2023: Zhongguancun Forum and inviting me to address the Opening Ceremony.

Recent developments in frontier technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotics and biotechnology, have shown tremendous potential for responding to many of the challenges we face in achieving sustainable development. 

Technology is one of our greatest assets to address global challenges, including climate change, food security, quality education, and health. Without developments in science, technology, and innovation, we will not achieve our goals on emissions reductions, food production improvements, universal quality education, and ultimately, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

However, access to technology is far from equal around the world. Billions of people worldwide remain largely excluded from the benefits of the information revolution, and most developing countries are largely absent in many of the prominent fora driving forward the conversation on AI and other frontier technologies, exacerbating the digital divide. 

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s Technology and Innovation Report 2023, frontier technologies already represented a USD 1.5 trillion market in 2020, which could grow to USD 9.5 trillion by 2030. But many countries, especially the least developed and those in sub-Saharan Africa, lack the capacities to adequately access and use these new technologies, which not only can have serious repercussions on the pace of their development and economic growth, but also jeopardizes the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

While technology is a powerful enabler of development, governance of these new technologies has not kept pace with their advances. Digital technologies offer new means to exercise human rights but are too often used to violate them.

The spread of disinformation, misinformation, cybercrime, violent extremism and terrorism, as well as online abuse and harassment – especially against women and children – must be addressed to reaffirm the centrality of human rights and the individual in the digital age.

Regulatory frameworks and governance on their development and use must have universal human rights at their centre. To this end, the Secretary-General has proposed that a Global Digital Compact be agreed on by governments at the UN Summit of the Future in 2024 that will allow the international community to build a digital future that is open, free, secure and inclusive.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Technology needs women, and women need technology. As the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, has said, “Skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) drive innovation and are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Women and girls are vital in all these areas. Yet they remain woefully under-represented.”

To ensure that science and technology benefit all members of society, we must redouble our efforts to increase the participation of women and other vulnerable groups in STEM. 

Today’s forum is an opportunity to bring together global wisdom, showcase solutions and nurture partnerships to make science and technology work for everyone. 

As the world’s second largest economy, China is a major contributor to science and technology. But with these strengths also comes the duty to harness technology responsibly.  This is a task that China shares with all other countries. As China’s President Xi has said, “We have joined the global network of sci-tech innovation and played an active role in coping with major challenges facing humanity.”

Because of the depth of its expertise and reach of its influence, China’s lessons and experiences can be leveraged for the benefit of other developing countries. We, the United Nations in China, continue to offer our support, to act as a conduit, while ensuring the quality of development outcomes and compliance with international norms and standards. 

It is time for strengthened international cooperation to build innovation capacities in developing countries, facilitate technology transfers, increase women’s participation in digital sectors, and promote an inclusive debate on how to regulate and govern these new technologies. 

The benefits of successful multilateral efforts in science and technology are enormous. Addressing these critical issues requires a strategic approach and global cooperation. For technologies to reach their potential in areas such as climate change, they must be advanced through collaboration. 

Ladies and Gentlemen and dear friends, 

Technology offers us all immense opportunities to make our world a better, more equitable place, but we must ensure that technological advances are designed and used for the common good, that walls and divisions are not built around and between these new technologies, ensuring that international coordination and cooperation in their development and use continues. We must also guarantee that those most impacted by these technologies have a greater say in their use, and we need to continue to strengthen the capacity of all Member States to engage in these important policy considerations. 

I wish you a successful deliberation. Thank you.