We live in a time of rapid technological change at the height of the digital transformation and the early stages of the Industry 4.0 revolution. When guided by an inclusive and sustainable compass these technological waves have great potential to increase prosperity and protect the planet bringing about the vital transformations needed to achieve the SDGs and put the world on a sustainable path. They also offer a window of opportunity for developing countries to catch up technologically and narrow global divides. Critical areas for innovation in this new technological revolution are renewable energy technologies and frontier technologies for sustainable production and consumption. The Technology and Innovation Report examines the opportunities and challenges posed by green innovation on the ability of developing countries to catch up reduce inequalities and contribute to tackling climate change. It argues that green policies are key to create the windows of opportunities. At the same time firms and governments must be ready to respond and take advantage of these opportunities. This requires sector-specific strategies and the support of the international community to empower developing countries to develop use adopt and adapt green technologies for sustainable development.

The Technology and Innovation Report 2018 discusses the role of frontier technologies in sustainable development. It outlines the main features and the manifold ways in which they can accelerate development. The report also identifies some potential risks describes the capability gender and infrastructural gaps that need to be address and discusses policy options including some innovative policy approaches that countries can consider to maximize the development benefits and minimize the risks of frontier technologies.

The 2010 Technology and Innovation Report - Enhancing Food Security in Africa Through Science Technology and Innovation - focuses on the challenges of improving agricultural performance in Africa and the role of technology and innovation in raising agricultural production and incomes of all farmers including smallholder farms. The report argues that the main challenge is to strengthen the innovation capabilities of African agricultural systems as a means of addressing poverty improving food security and achieving broader economic growth and development.