This article has been written by Ms. MADHUMITA BARIK, a FINAL year LLM student of ADAMAS UNIVERSITY , KOLKATA .

ABSTRACT: The United Nations (UN) emphasizes international collaboration, sustainable development, and technology transfer among its member nations. Within the UN framework, the idea of technology transfer is inextricably connected to the organization’s aims to promote economic growth, decreasing inequality, and address global concerns. Technology transfer (TT) is a collaborative process that permits scientific discoveries, information, and intellectual property to flow from makers to public and private buyers, such as universities and research institutes. Transferring technology allows developing nations to have access to cutting-edge information, research, and skills from around the world. This access allows them to improve their technical skills, stimulating innovation and allowing companies to stay globally competitive.

KEYWORDS: Technology, Transfer, Global, Sustainable development, United Nation.

INTRODUCTION: Bridging the global technical divide is an essential aspect of the United Nations’ efforts to promote sustainable development and national equality. The UN recognizes the vital role of technology transfer in accomplishing these goals, particularly in assisting poor countries in gaining access to and adopting essential technologies. The movement of data, designs, inventions, materials, software, technical expertise, or trade secrets from one organization to another or from one purpose to another is referred to as technology transfer. The rules, methods, and values of each organization engaged in the process influence the technology transfer process. An arm of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD). Every year, it organizes an intergovernmental meeting to have topical and relevant conversations about topics related to science, technology, and development. The international community has long been concerned with the problem of technology transfer and closing the technical gap worldwide, and the UN is essential in tackling this issue. The practice of sharing and distributing information, skills, and technologies across nations—especially industrialized and developing nations—is referred to as technology transfer. Reducing gaps in access to and benefits from technology is the goal of closing the global technological divide, which will promote sustainable development on a global scale. 

TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: Technology transfer for sustainable development in the United States involve the interchange and use of technologies that contribute to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. While the United States is an economically developed country, initiatives to improve sustainability, solve environmental issues, and promote inclusive development are ongoing. Here are a few crucial features of technology transfer for sustainable development in the United States. A key component of international initiatives to solve environmental, social, and economic problems while fostering long-term well-being is technology transfer for sustainable development. The goal of sustainable development is to satisfy current demands without endangering the capacity of future generations to satisfy their own. These are some important factors and tactics to keep in mind while transferring technology for sustainable development.

• Technologies for renewable energy.
• Energy-saving and smart grid technologies.
• Sustainable transportation and electric cars.
• Sustainable infrastructure and green building.
• Technologies of water management.
• Recycle technologies and waste to energy.
• Sustainable framing and precision framing.
• International collaboration, etc.

EQUITABLE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY: In order to alleviate social, economic, and educational gaps, equitable access to technology is essential in the United States. The difference in access to contemporary information and communication technologies (ICTs) between those who have it and those who do not is sometimes referred to as the “digital divide”. Making sure that everyone has fair and inclusive chances to utilize and benefit from technology, irrespective of their socioeconomic background, geography, or demographic traits, is essential to achieving equitable access. These are important things to think about when it comes to fair access to technology in the United States. To ensure equal access to technology in the United States, a multidimensional approach combining collaboration between government, the corporate sector, non-profit groups, and local communities is required. Continuous strategy monitoring, review, and modification are required to handle the shifting issues of digital inclusion.

• Internet access and digital literacy.
• Device and hardware, education technology.
• Government programs and private policies.
• Mobile technology and inclusive design.
• Research data collection and data privacy, etc.

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR: The United Nations promotes public-private partnerships because it acknowledges the private sector’s contribution to technical innovation. Governments, corporations, and international organizations working together may use each sector’s capabilities to accelerate technology transfer.

Innovation Hubs and Technology Incubators: In poor nations, the UN encourages the establishment of innovation hubs and technological incubators. These hubs can support regional innovation ecosystems by acting as hubs for technology creation, research, and application. Innovation hubs are collaborative spaces where individuals, start-ups, corporations, and research institutions come together to work on innovative projects, share ideas, and collaborate. These hubs are often located in urban areas and create a conducive environment for networking, idea exchange, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Innovation hubs aim to accelerate the pace of innovation by providing a physical space that promotes creativity and knowledge sharing. Technology incubators are initiatives or groups that assist early-stage companies develop and prosper by offering them resources and support. These support systems frequently consist of office space, financial access, networking possibilities, mentorship, and help with business development. Usually, incubators are focused on one area, such biotech, technology, or social entrepreneurship. The objective is to support start-ups in their early phases in order to raise the likelihood that they will grow into long-lasting, profitable companies.

WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION(WIPO): WIPO, a United Nations specialized body, is concerned with the interaction between intellectual property (IP) and technology transfer. Balancing intellectual property protection with the need for technology diffusion is critical for stimulating innovation while enabling greater access to technical breakthroughs. Promoting and defending intellectual property (IP) across the globe is the responsibility of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized organization of the UN. Geneva, Switzerland serves as the headquarters of WIPO, which was founded in 1967. Its main goal is to promote an efficient and well-balanced worldwide intellectual property system in order to stimulate creativity and innovation. WIPO is critical in developing international collaboration and providing a unified environment for intellectual property rights protection. Its operations contribute to the global promotion of innovation, creativity, and economic growth.

GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX: The UN publishes the GII every year through collaborations with other institutions including Cornell University and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The index evaluates various nations’ capacities for and results from innovation, providing information on global innovation trends as well as possible areas for cooperation and technology transfer. Global Innovation Index (GII) is an annual index that evaluates and empathizes nations’ innovation capabilities throughout the world. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) collaborated with Cornell University and INSEAD to publish it. The GII ranks nations based on different innovation indices such as R&D, human capital, infrastructure, market complexity, business sophistication, and creative outputs. The index seeks to give insights into a country’s innovation performance, strengths, and areas for progress, therefore creating a greater knowledge of the elements that contribute to global innovation.

TECHNOLOGICAL FACILITATION MECHANISM: United Nations created the TFM to improve the integration of science, technology, and innovation in accomplishing the SDGs. The TFM supports international collaboration, capacity development, and the formation of partnerships in order to assist the transfer of ecologically good technology to poor nations.

TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT ON UN CONFERENCE: Concerns about technology transfer and the digital divide have been vigorously pursued by UNCTAD. By highlighting the significance of policies that encourage equitable access to technology, it seeks to increase developing nations’ ability to utilize and profit from emerging technologies.

CONCLUSION: The UN’s engagement in addressing the global technology gap is a sign of its commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable global society, but it is also a difficult and continuous task. To guarantee that the advantages of technical breakthroughs are shared by all countries, effective technology transfer necessitates a mix of international collaboration, legislative frameworks, financial assistance, and capacity-building programs. In summary, the UN is a major player in tackling the worldwide issue of technology transfer and closing the gap in technology between industrialized and poor countries. The UN aims to promote global cooperation, provide frameworks for policy, and carry out programs that make it easier for people to share information and technology fairly. The UN encourages the integration of science, technology, and innovation in accomplishing sustainable development goals through a variety of agencies, institutions, and projects. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM) are important components of the UN’s engagement in technology transfer. Specialized organizations that address the connection between technology transfer and intellectual property, such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), also make a contribution. Efforts to enhance capacity, collaborations between public and commercial sectors, and an emphasis on equitable development highlight how the UN is making sure that all countries, especially those who are struggling economically, may reap the rewards of technological progress. The UN aims to establish a global environment where innovation contributes to the advancement and well-being of societies worldwide by highlighting collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Even while closing the technology gap is still a difficult challenge, the UN’s continued efforts show a dedication to building a more sustainable and equitable world where technical breakthroughs benefit humankind as a whole. Achieving the UN’s goal of a society where everyone benefits from technology would need sustained cooperation, sensible policies, and an emphasis on inclusive growth.

REFFERENCE – 

1. Originally written by Technology Transfer and Sustainable Development – Anouk Kendall and John Kendall , and it published in https://www.eolss.net/sample-chapters/c16/E1-50-33-00.pdf
2. Article Technology Transfer in the Context of Sustainable Development—A Bibliometric Analysis of Publications in the Field .