CEU FIRESIDE HOUR WITH BERNANDO CALZADILLA SARMIENTO

We are living in times of unprecedented changes. Climate change, technological transformation, deglobalization and the need to embark on the energy transition have deep implications for the world, and in particular for developing countries.

Climate change remains the most important threat of all times and affects development prospects of poor countries by increasing existing vulnerabilities. Developing countries are confronted with rising temperatures and climate-induced disasters such as floods and hurricanes with direct impact on livelihoods. While the technological transformation bears a number of opportunities, developing countries often lack adequate infrastructure to reap related benefits. Digitalization is changing production patterns, shortening value chains and bringing back investment to the industrialized countries. The changes in the geography of production have been labelled as “deglobalization”, marking the end of the globalization era. The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated these trends and caused further disruptions. Finally, the war in Ukraine brought about additional challenges resulting in an increase of global food and fuel prices and a decrease of investments. The related energy crisis made the need to disengage from fossil fuels evident, while the ongoing energy transition has increased the demand for critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium and copper. The extraction of these raw materials, which are mostly sourced from developing countries, however, bears major environmental and social risks.

In light of these prevailing megatrends, developing countries need to be supported to sustainably develop their economies, while mitigating negative effects on the environment and the climate, at the same time protecting their biodiversity and people.

Bernando Calzadilla Sarmiento is an experienced global leader in technology, investments and quality & standards with more than 30 years of international experience in global development. His involvement includes working in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Dr. Calzadilla has held positions in standardization,technology and investment promotion,  innovation, sustainability and social responsibility.

Dr. Calzadilla Sarmiento is former Managing Director for Digitalization, Technology and Agri-Business, UNIDO and was Director for Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade leading the work on quality and standards for trade facilitation, investment for sustainable development and innovation in the context of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).

Mr. Calzadilla also worked as Director for the Technical Assistance and Training at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). He holds a Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Economics from the Vienna University of Economics and Business (Austria) and Executive Education certificates on trade negotiations from Harvard University.