The ‘Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Policies for Sustainable Development in the Fourth Industrial Revolution’ workshop from 18-22 March 2019 held in Sejong, Republic of Korea was organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The workshop included a training for government officials and non-profit professionals from 10 Asia-Pacific countries on how to use new technologies, i.e. artificial intelligence (AI) and biometric recognition, to promote sustainable development. The workshop, which was organised in partnership with the Republic of Korea’s research institute, the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), and the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on STI (ARTNet), addressed the potential of new technologies’ use by governments to improve public service delivery and enhance citizen engagement. During the workshop, ESCAP launched a report on Evolution of Science, Technology and Innovation Policies for Sustainable Development: The Experiences of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore which provides  comparative analysis of STI policies in four countries with special focus on how they promote economic growth and progressed to integrate social and environmental concerns. ‘In a world of rapid technological transformation, the capacity of governments to leverage innovation for sustainable development and mitigate against risks is a key element for future prosperity. This report and training will help our member States to understand and prepare for these technological changes,’ said Head of the ESCAP Subregional Office for East and North-East Asia Ganbold Baasanjav.