UNECE on Knowledge Economy
Over the last 25 years advanced economies have become increasingly knowledge-based. The production, dissemination and use of knowledge have become a crucial factor for enhancing economic growth, job creation, competitiveness and welfare. Country-wise, the pace of this new type of economy expansion has varied. Some countries of the UNECE region have taken the lead and are reaping the benefits of accumulated research and development potential and accelerated innovation. Other countries have been slower in adapting to the new technological, economic and social challenges posed by the changing international environment.

In order to examine best practices, assess the readiness of the UNECE countries for the knowledge-based economy and contribute to decision-making facilitating its development, UNECE has initiated a programme on the emerging knowledge-based economy. Under this programme, the UNECE provides information and contributes to raising awareness of member States - particularly countries with economies in transition - regarding the emerging type of economy, decisively dependent on the inputs of human capital and on innovation.

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have played a leading role in the process of economic and social change mentioned above. On the one hand, the ICT industry has become a major source of innovation and accounted for strong investment and employment growth. On the other hand, the diffusion and uptake of ICT by other major sectors has resulted in enhanced growth and productivity of the economy as a whole.

The UNECE examines the issues of information and communications technologies as well as their economic impact under its sub-programme on Digital Economy Development. It undertakes the analysis of the impact of the emerging digital economy on the societies of member countries, related opportunities and challenges to economic development and social progress. The sub-programme aims at assisting member States in using ICT, capturing economic gains accruing from that use, facilitating their integration into the emerging global knowledge-based economy, as well as assisting them in assessing their readiness for the knowledge-based economy.