UN summit showcases AI and sustainable development transforming the Global South – Digital Watch Observatory

Report on the UN Global Industry Summit: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in the Global South

Executive Summary

The United Nations (UN) Global Industry Summit in Riyadh highlighted sustainable solutions for industrial challenges within the Global South, emphasizing how technology and collaboration can accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The summit focused on two primary areas: sustainable agriculture and the application of cutting-edge technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to create new opportunities and drive responsible development.

Sustainable Agriculture as a Catalyst for SDGs

The summit recognized the pivotal role of sustainable agricultural practices in achieving multiple SDGs. The Indian social enterprise Nature Bio Foods was awarded for its impactful ‘farm to table’ model, which demonstrates a holistic approach to sustainable development.

• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The enterprise empowers nearly 100,000 smallholder farmers, improving livelihoods and fostering economic growth within local communities.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By facilitating the production of high-quality organic food, the initiative directly supports sustainable agriculture and enhances food security.
• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) & SDG 13 (Climate Action): The integration of solar energy and methods to reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation showcases a direct commitment to clean energy and climate action.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Collaboration with government entities and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has been crucial for scaling the company’s sustainable impact.

Technological Innovation for Industrial Development

The ethical deployment of AI was a central theme, presented as a key enabler for sustainable industrialization and efficiency, directly contributing to several SDGs.

1. Contribution to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): UNIDO demonstrated AI-driven tools designed to solve real-world industrial problems, promoting innovation and responsible development across various sectors in developing nations.
2. Advancing SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): A specific innovation highlighted was the use of AI chips designed to detect food waste, offering a technological solution to a critical challenge in global supply chains.
3. Strengthening SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Leaders emphasized AI’s potential to create powerful networks connecting governments, the private sector, and academia, thereby fostering the collaborative partnerships necessary to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article focuses on sustainable agriculture, supporting smallholder farmers, and producing organic food.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The introduction of solar energy by the social enterprise is a direct link.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article discusses creating new opportunities for farmers and using technology to drive development in emerging economies.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The summit’s focus on technology, AI, and sustainable solutions for industries in the Global South is central to this goal.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The mention of a ‘farm to table’ approach and the use of AI to detect food waste directly relates to this goal.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The specific action of reducing methane emissions from rice production is a key climate mitigation effort.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article repeatedly emphasizes collaboration between governments, the UN, the private sector, and academia.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Target 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The article highlights the work of Nature Bio Foods in “helping nearly 100,000 smallholder farmers produce high-quality organic food,” which directly supports this target.
  • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices. The article’s mention of “sustainable agriculture,” “organic food,” and “reducing methane emissions from rice production” are examples of such practices.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article states that the company is “introducing solar energy” in its operations.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. The article discusses “sustainable solutions,” “introducing solar energy,” and using “AI chips capable of detecting food waste,” all of which contribute to making industries more sustainable and efficient.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  • Target 12.3: Halve per capita global food waste. The development of “AI chips capable of detecting food waste” is a technological solution aimed directly at this target.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies and planning. The initiative of “reducing methane emissions from rice production,” supported by partnerships, demonstrates the integration of climate action into business and agricultural practices.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. The article explicitly mentions that “Partnerships with government and UNIDO have allowed the company to scale sustainably” and that AI can “connect governments, private sector players, and academia.”

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

• For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

  • Indicator for Target 2.3: The article provides a quantitative measure by stating that the enterprise is “helping nearly 100,000 smallholder farmers.” This number serves as a direct indicator of the scale and reach of the initiative aimed at supporting small-scale producers.

• For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

  • Indicator for Target 7.2: The adoption of a specific renewable technology, “solar energy,” is mentioned. This implies progress towards increasing the renewable energy share in the company’s energy consumption.

• For SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

  • Indicator for Target 12.3: The article implies a method for measurement through “AI chips capable of detecting food waste.” This technology can be used to gather data on food waste, which is essential for measuring progress towards halving it.

• For SDG 13 (Climate Action)

  • Indicator for Climate Action: The specific action of “reducing methane emissions from rice production” is a measurable indicator of climate mitigation efforts, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas.

• For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

  • Indicator for Target 17.16: The existence of multi-stakeholder partnerships is explicitly stated. The article mentions “Partnerships with government and UNIDO” and the goal to “connect governments, private sector players, and academia,” which serve as qualitative indicators of collaboration.

4. Summary Table of Findings

Source: dig.watch