Development Research Group

Amidst slower global growth, a shifting labor market, and rising protectionism, governments around the world are increasingly turning to a once controversial policy. 

This report offers the first comprehensive guide to industrial policy for development in the 21st century. On June 2, report coauthors Ana Margarida Fernandes and Tristan Reed will provide a deep dive into the reports core findings, including how governments target industries, the trade‑offs involved, and how industrial policy can be aligned with objectives such as job creation, export growth, pollution reduction, and economic resilience.

Since the outbreak of war, ship transits through the Strait of Hormuz have fallen by roughly 95 percent. The consequences are global: historic highs in energy prices, cascading cost increases in fertilizers, aluminum, and petrochemicals, and disruption of production and trade. The shock risks undoing years of hard-won development progress. 

World Bank Group research points to three policy imperatives: (1) Safeguard jobs and income today; (2) Prevent serious food shortages tomorrow; and (3) Protect the vulnerable from immediate suffering and longer-term loss of human capital. 

At a time when development progress has slowed to its weakest pace in 75 years, the World Development Report 2026 explores how artificial intelligence can help developing economies accelerate growth and improve lives.

The report argues that countries do not need to build frontier AI models to benefit from the technology. Instead, they should focus on adopting, adapting, and advancing AI to meet local needs, languages, and institutions. From improving medical screening and agricultural advice to helping teachers create better lessons, AI is already delivering results.

Explore the full report and learn how AI can be a lifeline for developing economies.

The organizers of the 11th Urbanization and Development Conference invite submissions of high-quality academic papers in urban and regional economics, including (but not limited to) the economics of cities, housing, real estate, local public good provision, transportation, and the distribution of economic activity in space. The deadline to submit is September 4, 2026. 

This edition of the conference will take place in Singapore on December 14-16, 2026 in partnership with the 2026 SMU-Jinan Conference on Urban and Regional Economics.