Development Research Branch (DRB)

In the context of the disruptions in international trade in 2025, Ha-Joon Chang reflects on why the time is ripe for a New New International Economic Order.

For 153 countries, we estimate the potential of recovering/recycling six energy transition critical minerals—aluminium, cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel and rare earth elements—from their waste and scrap, if these countries have access to the latest technologies.

Unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries, 80th session, agenda item 16(a): Macroeconomic policy questions: international trade and development

According to the World Social Report 2024, urgent global action is needed to support national efforts to address the setbacks caused by the recent global crises, and to avoid the conversion of future shocks to crises. The report explains that, in our current global policy environment, shocks more readily turn into crises that cross boundaries, demanding international action. Particularly as such crises disproportionately impact the most vulnerable people, societies and countries.

The inevitability of preparing for a future with an older population adds to the urgency with which countries need to improve how they prepare young people for the jobs of today and the future. Without a large boost in labour productivity, the potential economic benefits due to an influx of young workers will remain unrealized at the scale needed for such a future.

Population ageing is a defining global trend of our time. People are living longer, and more are older than ever before.

To address the existing barriers to the adoption of these technologies, it is important to invest in digital literacy in rural areas, establish a new generation of agricultural extension services, make digital platforms user-friendly for smallholder farmers and build up infrastructure for agricultural e-commerce.

In charting out the way forward, Sustainable Development Outlook 2021 focuses on policy efforts that are cross-cutting in nature and have positive effects on multiple SDGs.

Featuring H. E. Ambassador Mohan Pieris, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations. Ambassador Mohan Pieris, President’s Counsel, has been serving as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York since January 2021. Prior to his appointment, Ambassador Pieris held the positions of the Chief Justice, Attorney General, Senior Legal Advisor to the Cabinet, Legal Consultant to the Central Bank, and Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka.