Artificial intelligence (AI) systems, when applied well, could help in addressing key global challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, these potential benefits will not materialize automatically. The use of AI also carries significant risks, such as disruption to job markets and economies, loss of cultural diversity, new AI-enabled digital weapons that increase misinformation and surveillance, and threats to human rights and democracy. While AI systems could support the achievement of many of the SDGs , they could also impede the achievement of others and increa…
The economies of the subregion were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those dependent on tourism. As a result, the Caribbean has seen a reversal of the hard-won gains achieved in growing their economies and reducing unemployment and inequality. The inflation stemming from pandemic supply chain disruption, which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, has made the sustained uptick in economic performance beyond pre-pandemic levels unlikely, notwithstanding strong growth estimates for 2021 and 2022. The last two years have taught the region that continued ‘business as usual’ is…
Many international development agendas highlight the importance of quality data for sustainable development. With the advent of the data revolution for sustainable development, stakeholders have underscored the value of timely, usable data in informing decision-making and for monitoring progress and evaluating outcomes, be it in relation to national development planning or as regards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other international development agendas. Crucially, the COVID-19 pandemic, more than anything else in recent times, has demonstrated the value of tim…
Given the human, social and economic impacts of COVID-19 across the world and the Latin American and Caribbean region, since its onset the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has focused its work agenda on assessing the impact of the pandemic on the three dimensions of sustainable development. To contribute to these efforts, this paper presents the Methodology for the Assessment of Disasters (known as Damage and Loss Assessment – DaLa) developed by ECLAC, and its applicability in the national assessments of the effects of COVID-19. The Commission is therefore making…
Dadas las repercusiones humanas, sociales y económicas de la pandemia de enfermedad por coronavirus (COVID-19) en el mundo, y en los países latinoamericanos en particular, la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL) orientó su agenda de trabajo, desde el inicio de la pandemia, a evaluar sus impactos en las tres dimensiones del desarrollo sostenible. Con el objetivo de contribuir a dicha tarea, en este documento se presenta la metodología de evaluación de daños y pérdidas (damage and loss assessment (DaLA)) creada por la Comisión, y su aplicabilidad en las evaluaciones naciona…