13 May 2026 - Against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and global economic fragmentation, members of the United Nations High-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs (HLAB) brought their insights to a global audience during a Global Policy Dialogue held in Addis Ababa on 8 May 2026.
The dialogue, organized by UN DESA in collaboration with the UN Economic Commission for Africa, marked the culmination of two days of in-depth discussions and expert consultations among Board members in the Ethiopian capital. Gathering at the historic Africa Hall—and online— HLAB members shared key reflections from their deliberations and engaged the public on Africa’s development pathways in an increasingly divided world.
The dialogue focused on three interconnected themes: navigating global fragmentation, unlocking Africa’s youth dividend, and strengthening regional integration and climate resilience as key foundations for inclusive and sustainable growth.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua underscored the need for more open, collaborative discussions like this in order to keep the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within reach.
“Fragmentation may define the global moment, but cooperation must define our response,” he said, emphasizing that the choices made today will shape development outcomes well beyond 2030.
Throughout the discussion, HLAB members drew on their diverse expertise, from economics and demography to climate policy, governance and social development, as they examined how Africa can expand opportunities for young people, build resilient economies and leverage regional cooperation amid global uncertainty. The exchange helped to translate high-level analysis into accessible policy ideas.
The Global Policy Dialogue attracted more than 150 in-person participants, including many young people, and was supported by the UN Peace and Development Trust Fund. By taking their discussions beyond closed meeting rooms, HLAB members reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, multilateralism and inclusive debate.
Watch the Policy Dialogue on UN Web TV here.
Access event photo coverage on UN DESA’s Flickr platform here.
Learn more about the United Nations High-level Advisory Board on Economic and Social Affairs (HLAB)