This event summary report is an outcome of the “UN Beyond GDP Intergovernmental Process Expert Workshop”, convened by UNU-CPR on 26–27 March 2026 in Geneva and online. Drawing on discussions among leading experts from academia, policy and civil society, the report synthesizes key insights to inform the design and direction of the forthcoming UN intergovernmental process on measures of progress beyond GDP.
The workshop highlighted the growing global consensus that GDP alone is an insufficient measure of economic and social progress, failing to capture critical dimensions such as sustainability, inequality and wellbeing. Participants emphasized that the intergovernmental process—mandated under the 2024 Pact for the Future—represents a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to reshape how progress is measured and to align economic decision-making with sustainable and inclusive development outcomes.
The report identifies five key dimensions for a successful process: strong political ownership, inclusive and multidisciplinary participation, adaptability to national contexts, alignment with other multilateral frameworks and robust accountability mechanisms. It also underscores the importance of sequencing the process over time, combining technical input with political negotiation to ensure uptake across the UN system and international financial institutions.
Positioning the Beyond GDP agenda as a potential keystone reform, the report outlines how new measurement frameworks could influence global finance, climate policy, human rights and inequality – helping to shift incentives toward long-term wellbeing within planetary boundaries.
Read ‘The UN Beyond GDP Intergovernmental Process: Key Dimensions for 2026 and Beyond’ here.
