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To benefit from these changes often requires special skills and access to the latest technology, putting disadvantaged groups at risk of being left behind.
Women, young people, the elderly, people with disabilities, migrants, Indigenous Peoples and low-income communities are the most vulnerable groups, the report emphasizes, outlining recommendations for governments to ensure this transformation benefits everyone.
Inclusion is a priority
Social inclusion is a moral imperative, but it is also an economic necessity, a report from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) underlines.
The report finds that expanding opportunities for marginalized groups will enlarge the productive workforce, strengthen human capital, increase innovation and entrepreneurship, improve labor allocation and spread productivity gains more widely.
“Inclusive societies are more productive, resilient and prosperous,” Secretary-General António Guterres summarized in a video message to launch the report.
The report emphasizes that steps towards social inclusion must also be taken urgently, as those not covered by mainstream systems face greater obstacles to catching up.
What to do
As artificial intelligence transforms the labor market, this report urges governments to do so investing in ongoing training and skills retraining for workers whose jobs may be replaced or changed, rather than just focusing on creating new jobs.
Likewise, the shift to renewable energy must include support for workers and communities dependent on fossil fuels, through retraining, alternative employment opportunities and social assistance.
To bridge the digital divide, governments must also expand affordable internet access, digital infrastructure, and technology training – especially in disadvantaged communities.
One of the final major recommendations is to stop relying on GDP to evaluate growth, and also assess progress in poverty reduction, access to education and health services, job security, inequality and environmental protection.
Economic growth that only benefits a small portion of the population, according to him, cannot be considered truly inclusive.
Fund this investment
Importantly, these investments require resources and many developing countries face financial constraints that could hinder the transition.
Almost half of the world’s poorest countries are in or at high risk of debt distresswith interest payments relative to income at the highest level in a generation, the UN Secretary General warned.
He called on leaders to fulfill the commitments made through last year’s Doha Political Declaration on Social Development and the Seville Commitment on development financing.
He also pushed for reform of international financial institutions to better represent and serve developing countries.
“Transformation is inevitable. Inequality and exclusion are inevitable,” said the UN Secretary General.
“Let us work together to ensure that the profound transformations reshaping our world help build a society rooted in justice, dignity and opportunity for all.”
