Setting up technology assessment centres

Description

Setting up technology assessment centres involves establishing dedicated facilities to systematically evaluate emerging technologies for their potential impacts, risks, and benefits. These centres provide objective analyses to inform policy, guide responsible innovation, and prevent unintended consequences. By offering expert assessments, they help decision-makers address issues such as technological obsolescence, safety concerns, and societal disruptions, ensuring that technology adoption aligns with public interest and sustainable development goals.

Context

Agenda 21 recommends that governments should encourage technology assessment through the use of technology assessment centres.

Implementation

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.