IASP President participates in the 8th World Investment Forum

IASP President Lena Miranda recently travelled to Abu Dhabi to take part in the 8th UNCTAD World Investment Forum. As a global platform for investment and development, the forum strives to create strategies and solutions for industry-related challenges, facilitating multi-stakeholder collective action to stimulate investment in development.

Throughout the week, Lena participated in two different sessions. On Tuesday 17th October she joined industry experts in a discussion on the future of the smart industry. During the round table, set under the theme “Industry 4.0 and the future of global investments”, they addressed the trends, opportunities and challenges that arise with the global deployment of new digital technologies, as well as the need to connect developing countries with those further developed to continue attracting investments within Industry 4.0.

The conversation factored in all things technological, with a focus on IoT, AI, ML, robotics and cyber security. The human factor and how to help humans manage new digital technologies and systems in the new digital era were discussed, including its impact on education and remote working. Finishing the session, all panellists agreed on the need for wider global cooperation – while representing IASP, Lena was able to discuss the global nature of the association and the importance of fostering and connecting local, regional, and international innovation ecosystems in order to accelerate the digital transformation in a sustainable direction.

The next day, Lena joined the Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones (GASEZ) partners in announcing the first 50 ‘SDG Model Zones’. These 50 innovation ecosystems will serve as a showcase on how to work towards the SDGs, looking forward to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, where recent reports show 16% of the target was recently reached. 

The international panel discussed Special Economic Zones and the importance of a new model, as well as GASEZ’s aspiration to inspire more zones around the world to adopt the SDGs and leave a positive impact. Examples from Central and Latin America, the Caribbean and UAE were presented in a hope to inspire attendees.

In addition to being hubs for innovation, IASP members and innovation ecosystems foster connections between quadruple helix partners as well as constantly striving for a green, digital, and social society. Many of our global members are already evolving in that direction, and IASP is proud to announce that 17 members from 16 different countries were selected among the first SDG Model Zones. See full list of finalists here.