On 7 May 2026, the High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Beyond GDP released its report, the first global blueprint to move beyond GDP. This blueprint places people and the planet at the centre of decision-making and offers a way to redefine progress. The report is a significant step, but moving beyond GDP is a process. UNCTAD plays a key role by providing analytical, statistical, and policy expertise to support this work.
What are the next steps in moving beyond GDP?
Member States engage in a United Nations-led intergovernmental process, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, co-facilitated by Guyana and Spain.
UNCTAD is piloting the indicators proposed by HLEG to bridge the implementation gap at the country level. In this exercise, UNCTAD collaborates and coordinates with a range of UN and non-UN partners.
UNCTAD is also part of the Global Alliance of Beyond GDP under the Seville Platform for Action (SPA), supporting the adoption of indicators through country pilots as instruments for systemic learning.
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UNCTAD’s Role and Contributions
UNCTAD plays an active role in advancing the Beyond GDP agenda at the global level. It serves as part of the co-secretariat of the High-Level Expert Group on Beyond GDP, contributing to analytical, statistical, and policy expertise.
Notably, UNCTAD’s Inclusive Growth Index combines economic performance with indicators on income distribution, living conditions, and environmental sustainability. The index highlights significant disparities across and within countries, demonstrating that higher GDP growth does not necessarily translate into inclusive development outcomes.
