#GMIS2020 VIRTUAL SUMMIT: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 2020 | 20:45 - 20:50 GMT+2
DAY TWO:
Closing Remarks
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Dr. Bernardo Calzadilla-Sarmiento Managing Director, Directorate of Digitalization, Technology and Agri-Business, UNIDO
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a huge toll on humanity: in terms of physical and emotional health, the global economy and our way of life. Yet it is clear that the Fourth Industrial Revolution has not been decelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, indeed it may even be accelerating. It is clear that many manufacturers and large companies are looking to avoid exposure to long value chains, and that we will see greater customisation, local production and regional trade integration as a result. Certainly, the manufacturing sector has suffered a huge hit, with industrial output declining significantly in most countries. However, once again, manufacturing has shown its indispensability to our society, whether it be through production of personal protective equipment, testing kits and enhancement of quality infrastructure.
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Digital technologies are also leading the way in battling the virus, whether it be the use of robotics to deliver medical supplies, 3D printing to produce emergency PPE, or artificial intelligence for contact tracing. As we look further into the future and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, we can see that advanced manufacturing will be crucial, especially for Goal 9 on inclusive and sustainable industrialisation. The GMIS 2020 Virtual Summit saw the announcement of major initiatives, such as the establishment of several thematic working groups and a legacy initiative on decarbonisation. It is through such mechanisms that we hope to move from discussion to decisive action and towards an inclusive and sustainable Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Global Manufacturing & Industrialisation Summit | www.gmisummit.com
