The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) took the opportunity on Monday, Sept. 18, to showcase technology at this year’s United Nations General Assembly as a new eighth pillar of the Human Society for All (HS4A) campaign, highlighting the power of tech to solve global challenges. The announcement event, on the U.N.’s Main Campus, was co-hosted by CTA, the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), and the U.N. Trust Fund for Human Security during the 78th session of the New York City-based intergovernmental organization.
“Technology can make a difference in how we address the most fundamental problems of the world,” remarked Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of CTA, at the event. “Technology is vital to the flourishing of mankind, and access to technology enhances the human experience.”
“Technology is making our world a better place to live for literally billions of people, and we are only just scratching the surface of what’s possible,” Shapiro said. “I’m thrilled to continue work with the U.N. Trust Fund for Human Security and World Academy of Art and Science to advance the HS4A global campaign and showcase the innovations that transform our world – at CES 2024 and beyond.”
At the upcoming January CES 2024, where technology is the linchpin at the heart of the show, Shapiro said attendance was expected to reach 130,000, solidifying the exhibition’s status as a worldwide attraction for witnessing and experiencing cutting-edge consumer technologies. He also mentioned that over 1,000 Eureka Park startups and more than 3,500 exhibitors were projected to participate in the annual exhibition held in Las Vegas.
According to the official announcement, the inclusion of technology as an eighth pillar of human security—alongside economic, environmental, food, health, political, personal, and community security—underscores the transformative potential of technology in advancing human security across all its dimensions. Access to technology enhances the human experience, and it plays an essential role in development by enabling us to achieve more with less, address the world’s most pressing challenges, and bridge the investment gap in sustainable development goals (SDGs).
These themes animated the U.N. event, which featured remarks by the U.N. Secretary General’s Envoy on Technology, Amandeep Singh Gill, as well as a panel discussion on technology’s power to address global challenges. Panelists included: Kinsey Fabrizio, SVP of CES and Membership, CTA; Garry Jacobs, President & CEO, WAAS; and Megan Lee, Chairwoman and CEO, Panasonic; the panel was moderated by CNN Business Senior Writer Samantha Kelly.
The connection between technology and human security, the announcement said, will be pervasive throughout CES 2024, which will showcase technology that is addressing the world’s biggest challenges through its show floor exhibits, conference programming and Innovations Awards program.
