Development Research Branch

Chief of Branch

Rashmi Banga, Chief, Development Research Branch, joined the United Nations in 2011. Previously, she served as a Senior Economic Affairs Officer in the Unit on Economic Cooperation and Integration among Developing Countries (ECIDC), UNCTAD and as an Adviser and Head, Trade Division in the Commonwealth Secretariat, where she provided policy support to more than 30 countries. She was a former Associate Professor of Economics in the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University in India. She earned her doctorate from Delhi School of Economics, specializing in development economics, international economics and econometrics. She has worked extensively on issues around climate change, digital revolution, industrial policy, international trade, food security, South-South cooperation and foreign direct investments. She received the International Economic Development Research Award from Export-Import Bank of India and has been a recipient of two Gold Medals for her research on globalization and development from the Global Development Network, World Bank.

The Development Research Branch (DRB) identifies and leads research on frontier and emerging issues, as well as other economic challenges for countries in conflict and countries in special situations. DRB produces policy-oriented research papers and hosts briefings and seminars responsive to the needs of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Member States. DRB produces the World Social Report (WSR), in collaboration with the Division for Inclusive Social Development and other United Nations agencies, covering selected long-term development issues and policies, particularly those which cross-cut the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. DRB coordinated the production of the World Economic and Social Survey, published annually by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs from 1948 to 2018.

Latest from the Development Research Branch (DRB)

World Social Report 2024

The World Social Report is the flagship publication of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs on major social development issues.