Call for Papers: UNU WIDER Development Conference 2026 – Growth, Governance, and Geopolitics in a Fractured World Orde (Deadline: 1 September 2025)

The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), in collaboration with the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID), invites researchers and policy professionals to submit paper proposals for the 2026 WIDER Development Conference, to be held in New Delhi, India.

In an increasingly fractured global economic landscape, the conference will convene leading scholars, policymakers, and development practitioners to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities facing the Global South. This call for papers seeks innovative and evidence-based contributions that offer new insights into current disruptions in global governance and their implications for economic growth, sustainable development, and cooperation.

Location: New Delhi, India
Dates: 18–20 March 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline: 1 September 2025, 23:59 UTC+

Conference Theme: Responding to Global Transformations

The world is undergoing significant geopolitical and economic shifts. The rules-based international order is under pressure, debt vulnerabilities are rising, multilateralism is being challenged, and climate-related imperatives demand urgent and coordinated responses. Within this context, the Global South faces both unprecedented risks and emerging opportunities.

The 2026 conference will explore these themes through a multi-disciplinary lens, with a focus on the agency of developing countries in shaping future economic pathways. Submissions should contribute to at least one of the following key themes:

Key Conference Themes and Subtopics

1. Global Economic Governance and Development Finance

• • Structural transformation of global economic governance
  • The current debt crisis: determinants, risks, and policy responses

• • Financing development: role of multilateral and national development banks

• The evolving role of emerging economy donors in global development cooperation

2. Trade, Technology, and South-South Cooperation

• Collapse or evolution of the multilateral trading system: consequences for low-income countries
• Determinants and impacts of South-South trade and investment
• Technology transfer, intellectual property, and industrial development in the Global South
• Regional value chains and strategies for inclusive growth
• Learning from East Asia’s industrial policy success: implications for South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa

3. Green Industrialization and Climate-Responsive Development

• The future of green industrialization in developing economies
• Just energy transitions and climate adaptation strategies in low- and middle-income countries
• Fiscal tools for climate mitigation: carbon taxes and environmental policy
• Circular economy and green innovation as tools for sustainable growth

4. Inequality and Inclusive Growth in a Multi-Polar World

• Global inequality trends: cross-country comparisons and root causes
• Labour market inequality: youth, gender, and informal sectors
• Intergenerational mobility and social protection systems
• The role of the services and manufacturing sectors in inclusive economic growth

About the WIDER Development Conference

The WIDER Development Conference is a flagship event that brings together an international audience of researchers, decision-makers, and institutional leaders to advance dialogue on development policy and economic research. It emphasizes bridging the gap between academic evidence and policy implementation, especially in areas most relevant to the Global South.

The 2026 conference in New Delhi will feature keynote addresses by globally recognized economists and thought leaders, high-level plenary sessions, and thematic parallel sessions. These sessions aim to facilitate the translation of rigorous academic research into practical and scalable policy recommendations. Each will be chaired by a senior policymaker or practitioner, enhancing the relevance of discussions for real-world application.

Sessions will also feature collaborations with key regional and international institutions, helping to contextualize global policy shifts within local and regional frameworks. In addition, networking opportunities and focused roundtable discussions will offer space for exchange and the development of future collaborations.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions are open to scholars, practitioners, and professionals working on development-related issues, particularly in the Global South. Proposals should include:

• A working paper title
• A 300–500 word abstract clearly stating the research question, methodology, key findings (if applicable), and policy relevance
• Author(s) affiliation and contact information

All submissions must be in English. Selected authors will be invited to present their work during the conference. Travel support may be available for a limited number of participants from low-income countries.

Important Dates

• Deadline for submissions: 1 September 2025, 23:59 UTC+3
• Conference dates: 18–20 March 2026
• Notification of acceptance: November 2025

Join the Conversation

The 2026 WIDER Development Conference offers a timely platform to shape dialogue around inclusive development, reimagined governance, and sustainable pathways for the Global South. As the global order continues to evolve, this is a crucial opportunity to influence the direction of future development.

For full submission details and conference updates, please visit: wider.unu.edu

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