Photos: Provided by speakers

On 13 August 2026, UNU hosted "Beyond GDP: Creating Quality Growth and Opportunities for Youth in Developing Economies", a conversation with Professor Bambang Brodjonegoro, Dean and CEO of the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), and Professor Aya Suzuki, Senior Vice-Rector of the United Nations University and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Young people in developing economies are entering labour markets shaped by rapid technological change, climate pressures, demographic shifts and persistent inequality. Although many countries have achieved significant GDP growth, youth continue to face insecure work, unequal access to education and skills, and limited opportunities to participate in economic and public life. These challenges raise an important question: how should economic progress be measured when growth does not create meaningful opportunities for the next generation?

For this special Conversation Series event marking UNU Youth Month, Professor Bambang Brodjonegoro and Professor Aya Suzuki joined UNU Junior Fellow Alland Dharmawan for a conversation on how developing economies can move beyond GDP and create more inclusive, resilient and sustainable pathways for the next generation. The discussion explored questions such as: What does "quality growth" mean for young people? How can developing economies create productive employment, strengthen education and skills, and enable young people to benefit from innovation and economic transformation? And what policies and institutions are needed to ensure that youth, including those in rural and marginalized communities, are not left behind?