Technology could be the deciding factor in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and in delivering human security for all. The ‘Capital as a Force for Good report described the seemingly insurmountable gap of up to US$135 trillion needed to fund the SDGs. Technology can change that equation and today’s technologists are at least as bold, innovative and resourceful as those that took man from agriculture to industrialization.

At the mid-point of their 2030 target date, the world is not on track to meet the SDGs, with a shortfall in funding estimated at US$102-135 trillion, due to the many crises in the world. The global effort to fund the goals has been undermined by a series of threats to national and global security, with governments reallocating attention and resources away from long-term sustainability to managing pressing near-term risks. As a result, the goals are moving further away despite the timeline to achieving them shortening, with a widening funding gap.

The recently concluded COP27 climate summit in Egypt has achieved a fundamental breakthrough with a historic agreement for richer nations to provide financial help to poor countries suffering from the impact of climate change, but failed to reach a deal on greater cuts to greenhouse gas emissions and defined the transition away from fossil fuel use.

This year's CES was themed Human Security for All (HS4A) in support of the HS4A campaign, an initiative of the UN Trust Fund for Human Security and the World Academy of Art and Science. Force for Good supported the initiative participating in the 'Great Minds' series and with its report on 'Technology as a Force for Good'.