We would like to extend an invitation to join us next week on 18 May at 16:00 for the next event in our WIDER Webinar Series.

Full details HERE

Arkebe Oqubay will join the WIDER webinar to share insights from his recent research work to discuss the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for developing and emerging economies. He will be presenting the lessons learned and suggestions for policy changes. Tony Addison will follow as discussant to share some thoughts on the longer-run implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for international development.

COVID-19 crisis and implications for the economic development of developing countries

COVID-19 pandemic has brought on an unprecedented global crisis resulting in not only a public health emergency but also an economic recession, which has deepened existing economic disparity by destroying the recently made gains in developing and emerging countries. Multiple forecasts - often conflicting- have been presented by many organizations during the pandemic. Nonetheless, it is crucial to focus on productive discourse to understand the long-term effects, trajectory and policy implications.

COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of the economies of developing countries, showing the low degree of economic transformation and highlighting the necessity of implementing policies that accelerate economic diversification and build industrial capacity in a changing landscape. However, such deep crisis offers opportunities for developing and emerging economies. This presentation focuses on the implications of COVID-19 in developing and emerging economies, the lessons learned and policy recommendations.

This analysis draws from extensive research as presented in the recent publications namely African Economic Development: Evidence, Theory, Policy (Oxford University Press), The Oxford Handbook of Industrial Hubs and Economic Development  and The Oxford Handbook of Industrial Policy (2020). Political and policy choices will shape the post-COVID-19 economic recovery and long-term structural transformation. Multilateralism and well-functioning international governance will be essential to build collaboration for global economic recovery and against global threats such as pandemics and climate change.

Register here

For more details please contact toppari@wider.unu.edu